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Golden State Warriors’ Kevon Looney joins elite company after monstrous Game 3

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 20: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors and Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings go for a rebound during Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Chase Center on April 20, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 20: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors and Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings go for a rebound during Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Chase Center on April 20, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Is there a more reliable role player in the NBA than Kevon Looney? Give the Golden State Warriors center a challenge and he almost always answers the call. That proved the case again on Thursday night when Looney had to go to battle without the support of long-time frontcourt teammate Draymond Green.

Calling the 27-year-old a role player may actually be unfair nowadays. Looney was a star in Game 3 against the Sacramento Kings, helping the Warriors to a comfortable 114-97 victory that’s edged them back into the first-round series.

Golden State Warriors big man Kevon Looney has joined elite company after his monstrous Game 3 performance against the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center on Thursday.

Playing just under 31 minutes, Looney had a massive 20 rebounds including nine on the offensive end. He also added a playoff-high, and equal career-high nine assists while finishing a +21 in the 17-point win.

On Thursday Looney became just the fourth player in NBA playoff history to record nine offensive rebounds and nine assists in the same game. He joins some pretty handy names in that elite group — Nikola Jokic, Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley.

The three-time champion earned high praise from Golden State general manager Bob Myers last week who described Looney’s rebounding as ‘Rodman-like’. Speaking after his 20-rebound performance in Game 3, Looney spoke about being in a zone that’s usually synonymous with the league’s elite shooters.

"“Sometimes as a rebounder you can get in the zone. Just how Steph (Curry) and them three-point shooters get in a zone, I feel the same way sometimes. I know where the ball is going, everytime i touch it it seems to go my way.”"

Looney may have played in more important games during his five trips to the NBA Finals, but down 2-0 and with Green out suspended, the pressure and reliance on him in Game 3 was at an all-time high.

Golden State Warriors desperately missing key championship member. dark. Next

The Warriors will regain Green in another crucial matchup in Game 4 on Sunday afternoon. With the former Defensive Player of the Year back in the fold, and Golden State gaining some momentum from Thursday’s win, there’s a sense of optimism that the defending champions can tie the series and put the pressure back on Sacramento heading to a Game 5.

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