When Steve Kerr called timeout at 8:45 PM Pacific Time on Monday, November 25, 2024, at Chase Center, the Golden State Warriors were down by nine to the Utah Jazz. The reason? A single defensive lapse by Brandin Podziemski, who let Keyonte George hang in the corner and drain his fourth three-pointer. Kerr didn’t just sigh. He acted. And the Warriors’ 134-117 win wasn’t just a comeback—it was a statement.
From Disaster to Dominance: The Second-Quarter Turnaround
The first quarter felt like a replay of last season’s worst habits: sloppy passes, lazy rotations, and open threes for the opponent. The Jazz, playing without their starting center, were hitting everything. Then came the timeout. And with it, a new lineup.
Kerr pulled Podziemski, the 22-year-old second-round pick who’d been averaging over 28 minutes per game, and replaced him with Pat Spencer and Jimmy Butler—yes, even though Kerr accidentally called Butler "Jimmy Quinton" in his post-game ramble. The group clicked instantly. The ball moved like it was on rails. The defense swarmed. The crowd roared. The Warriors outscored the Jazz 41-20 in the second quarter, turning a 9-point deficit into a 13-point lead by halftime.
"I thought our second group really did that," Kerr said. "Their approach... the way the ball moved. It was a game changer."
Turnovers Are the Enemy—And the Warriors Finally Listened
Kerr has been hammering this point since training camp: turnovers are the team’s kryptonite. The Warriors are 9-1 when they win the turnover battle. They’re 1-8 when they lose it. Against the Jazz, they committed just 10. Their season average? 16.6. That’s not luck. That’s discipline.
Gary Payton II was everywhere—diving through screens, stealing passes, dishing out eight assists. Stephen Curry dropped 31 points on 12-for-24 shooting, including six threes, but even he admitted: "Coach lit a fire underneath us."
Podziemski’s Punishment: A Message Sent Loud and Clear
Podziemski played just 17 minutes—down from his season average of 28. He finished with six points, five rebounds, and a -2 plus/minus. He shot 1-of-4. The numbers don’t tell the whole story. He was benched for nearly the entire second and third quarters. No warning. No explanation to the press. Just silence on the bench.
"Those sort of inexcusable mistakes won’t be tolerated," Kerr said afterward. "Even from rotation players."
That’s the new standard. In a team built on trust and ball movement, one careless rotation can unravel everything. Podziemski isn’t a starter. But he’s a rotation player. And Kerr made it clear: if you’re on the floor, you’re accountable.
Bench Firepower and Butler’s Unlikely Fit
While the Warriors were missing Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, and Al Horford, their bench carried them. Buddy Hield, the 31-year-old Bahamian sharpshooter signed in July 2024, erupted for 20 points off the bench—his best game since joining the team. He’d been shooting 28% from deep in October. Monday? 5-of-9 from three.
"He stayed with it," Kerr said. "The ball hasn’t been going in. But he kept shooting. That’s who he is."
And then there’s Jimmy Butler. The five-time All-Star, known for his isolation-heavy, mid-post style, has been an odd fit in Golden State’s motion offense. But Kerr has adapted. He’s letting Butler create one-on-one when the defense collapses. It’s not pretty. But it works. Butler finished with 18 points, six rebounds, and seven assists—his best all-around game yet with the Warriors.
What’s Next? Houston’s Rebounding Machine Awaits
The Warriors improved to 10-9. Their next game? Wednesday, November 27, against the Houston Rockets. Kerr didn’t sugarcoat it. "They’re one of the elite teams in the league," he said. "They’re rebounding 40% of their missed shots. That’s insane. We’ve got to be ready."
That’s the reality. The Warriors aren’t just trying to win games. They’re trying to re-establish identity. Defense. Ball security. Accountability. This win over the Jazz wasn’t about the score. It was about the message: mistakes have consequences. And the team responds when leadership demands it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Steve Kerr bench Brandin Podziemski so drastically?
Podziemski’s defensive lapse allowed Keyonte George to hit his fourth three-pointer, a preventable mistake that exposed a critical breakdown in rotation. With the Warriors already struggling defensively in the first quarter, Kerr saw it as a teachable moment—and a chance to reinforce accountability. Podziemski’s playing time dropped from his season average of 28 minutes to just 17, with minimal minutes in the second and third quarters, signaling that even rotation players aren’t exempt from consequences.
How did reducing turnovers lead to such a dominant second quarter?
The Warriors committed only 10 turnovers against the Jazz—well below their 16.6 average—allowing them to generate more possessions and transition opportunities. Fewer turnovers meant less time spent on defense, which allowed their guards to rotate more effectively. The ball movement improved dramatically, leading to open threes and easier drives, which in turn energized the defense. It’s a domino effect: offense fuels defense, and vice versa.
Is Jimmy Butler really fitting into the Warriors’ system?
Yes—but with adjustments. Butler’s isolation-heavy style traditionally clashes with Golden State’s ball-movement philosophy. But Kerr has started to carve out space for him in late-clock situations, letting him attack mismatches when defenses overhelp. His 18 points, six rebounds, and seven assists show he’s adapting. He’s not the primary playmaker, but he’s become a reliable closer, and his defensive intensity has elevated the team’s overall effort.
Why is the Houston Rockets game such a big challenge?
The Rockets are rebounding 40% of their missed shots—the highest rate in the NBA. That means they get extra possessions, which stretches defenses and wears down teams. With the Warriors missing key big men like Green and Horford, contesting every offensive board will be critical. Houston’s young core, led by Jalen Green and Amen Thompson, thrives on second-chance points. If the Warriors don’t box out with discipline, their recent defensive gains could vanish.
How does Buddy Hield’s performance impact the Warriors’ playoff chances?
Hield’s 20-point outburst is a huge relief. The Warriors have struggled with inconsistent bench scoring this season, especially from the perimeter. If Hield can maintain even 40% shooting from deep, he becomes a critical floor spacer for Curry and Butler. His ability to stretch defenses opens driving lanes and makes Golden State’s offense far less predictable—a major advantage in the playoffs, where spacing is everything.
What does this win say about Steve Kerr’s coaching style this season?
Kerr is blending his trademark patience with a new level of toughness. He’s no longer just encouraging growth—he’s enforcing standards. The Podziemski benching, the emphasis on turnovers, the willingness to adjust lineups mid-game—all show he’s holding players accountable in real time. This isn’t just about winning games. It’s about building a culture where effort, discipline, and responsibility are non-negotiable.
