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NBA Summer League: Young guard continues to impress despite Golden State Warriors’ loss

By Peter O'Keefe

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 05: Lester Quiñones #25 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Charlotte Hornets in the second half during the 2023 NBA California Classic at Golden 1 Center on July 05, 2023 in Sacramento, 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)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 05: Lester Quiñones #25 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Charlotte Hornets in the second half during the 2023 NBA California Classic at Golden 1 Center on July 05, 2023 in Sacramento, 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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Golden State Warriors’ guard Lester Quinones has produced another impressive display amid a strong Summer League campaign, pouring in 26 points despite his team’s 94-86 to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night.

It was Quinones’ third 20+ point performance in four games of Summer League, with his sweet shooting stroke again on display with four made threes as he finished 8-for-17 from the field, 4-for-10 from deep, and 6-for-8 from the free-throw line.

Lester Quinones’ 26 points and a near triple-double from Brandin Poziemski wasn’t enough as the New Orleans Pelicans proved too good for the Golden State Warriors.

Warriors’ recent first-round pick Brandin Podziemski almost delivered on his self-proclamation as a ‘triple-double guy’, flashing his playmaking skills on his way to a 10-point, nine-rebound, 10-assist performance.

Playing in front of a host of Golden State personnel including head coach Steve Kerr, two-time MVP Stephen Curry, and the newly acquired Chris Paul, the 19th overall pick showed promising signs but ultimately struggled shooting-wise. Podziemski finished just 3-for-16 from the floor as the Pelicans, led by talented defensive guard Dyson Daniels, made life difficult for the 20-year-old.

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Brazilian Gui Santos was a little quieter after his 25-point performance against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. The 21-year-old finished with 13 points on 3-for-9 shooting, also adding three rebounds and a steal in 30 minutes of action.

Both teams started the game slowly offensively, with the Warriors taking a 22-21 lead after the opening period despite shooting just 30% from the floor. The same struggles continued early in the second, before Quinones began heating up with a series of triples on his way to 16 first-half points.

After trailing 51-44 lead at the interval, the Pelicans’ offense found some life to regain momentum and take the lead. That was powered by a dominant 14-2 run that changed the complexion of the game over the middle-to-late portion of the third-quarter.

Golden State re-established themselves in what was a hard-fought, back-and-forth final period. Some pivotal turnovers and inefficient offense proved fatal down the stretch though, with the Pelicans running away with the eight-point win.

Next. Golden State Warriors must orchestrate two-way contract for young forward. dark

The Warriors are now 0-2 in Las Vegas, putting pay to their chances of the Summer League title. They’ll now have a couple of days off before taking to the floor at 2:30 PM PT on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks.

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