UPDATE: In a stunning upset, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 99-94 on July 15, 2023, thanks to a career-high performance from Pat Spencer, who scored 19 points in his first career start. This victory comes as the Warriors played without their stars, including Steph Curry, who is recovering from a thigh contusion.
The game took place at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, where the Warriors faced a Cavaliers team that was sluggish on the second night of their own back-to-back. Despite having key players like Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland available, Cleveland struggled, hitting just 3 of 21 three-point attempts in the first half.
Spencer’s performance was a highlight of the night. The 29-year-old point guard, who initially made his mark in college lacrosse before transitioning to basketball, hit two crucial three-pointers in the fourth quarter that helped secure the win. After making a free throw to put the Warriors up by four with just 4.1 seconds remaining, he waved goodbye to the Cleveland crowd, showcasing his confidence.
“His coach realized that Pat is that motherf—er,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr, referencing Spencer’s viral moment from a previous game. “It became clear. Sorry. Am I allowed to say that?”
Spencer, who was drafted first overall in the 2019 Premier Lacrosse League draft, has fought hard for his place in the Warriors roster. His journey from being a two-way contract player to a key contributor in this game encapsulates his determination. Over the past three games, Spencer has scored 17, 16, and now 19 points, showing significant improvement in his shooting.
The Warriors’ victory brings their record to 12-12, just above .500 after a tough start to the season. The team is expected to welcome back stars Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Al Horford, and De’Anthony Melton for their next game against the Chicago Bulls. Meanwhile, Curry is targeting a return next Friday night at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson expressed disappointment in his team’s performance, stating, “It’s deflating when you’re missing shots. Give the Warriors a ton of credit. They came in with a fresh, young group that had a lot of energy.”
As the Warriors celebrate this unexpected victory, all eyes will be on Spencer as he continues to seize opportunities and prove his worth in the league.
