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Golden State Warriors’ youngster impresses in Summer League opener

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 05: Lester Quinones #25 of the Golden State Warrior shoots against the Miami Heat in the second half during the California Classic at Chase Center on July 05, 2022 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 05: Lester Quinones #25 of the Golden State Warrior shoots against the Miami Heat in the second half during the California Classic at Chase Center on July 05, 2022 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Eligible two-way guard Lester Quinones has made an impressive start to the Golden State Warriors‘ Summer League campaign, scoring 26 points in his team’s 100-94 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday night.

The 22-year-old combo guard was a clear standout for the Warriors at Golden 1 Center, though there were also some promising signs from recent first-round pick Brandin Podziemski, and 2022 second-round pick Gui Santos.

Despite holding two-way eligibility with the Golden State Warriors, an impressive Summer League start from Lester Quinones may suggest he’s looking for a full contract.

The Warriors tended a two-way qualifying offer to Quinones last week, clear evidence they wish to keep the former Memphis product around after an impressive finish to the G League season where he was named the league’s Most Improved Player.

Quinones started heating up late in the first-quarter after a slow and inefficient start for the Warriors offensively. He finished the opening period with 10 points, including a side-step three over impressive Kings forward Keegan Murray.

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Quinones was quiet in the second and third-quarters before exploding for 13 points in a final period where the Warriors’ threatened a comeback victory. He finished with 26 points, four rebounds and two assists, shooting an efficient 10-for-16 from the floor and 5-for-8 from three-point range.

With Golden State’s second-round pick, Trayce Jackson-Davis, a late scratching due to a slight hamstring injury, much of the focus was centered on the team’s recent 19th overall pick in Podziemski.

While it was far from a standpoint display, the 20-year-old showed some nice signs on both ends of the floor. Playing primarily as the Warriors’ point-guard, Podziemski looked comfortable with the ball in his hands, finding his way into the paint on multiple occasions and displaying a clear feel for finding his teammates. The 6’5″ guard from Santa Clara finished with 12 points, six rebounds and six assists — a solid starting point for which to build upon.

An aggressive Gui Santos was Golden State’s second leading scorer, with the Brazilian finishing with 19 points, five rebounds and three assists on 5-for-13 shooting and 3-for-8 from three-point range.

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The Warriors ultimately had no answer for Murray, the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft who finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting. The talented forward had a game-high 29 points as the Kings regained momentum late in the fourth to secure a six-point win.

Golden State take on the Charlotte Hornets at 3PM PT on Wednesday to conclude their two-game stint at the California Classic.

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