Brandin Podziemski was drafted 19th overall by the Golden State Warriors in 2023, and he has proven himself a capable scoring option since. In a recent matchup against the Denver Nuggets, however, his decision-making under pressure drew some unexpected reactions from the Warriors’ bench, particularly from head coach Steve Kerr.
Steve Kerr’s Frustration Over Brandin Podziemski During Loss to Nuggets
The Warriors’ offense relies on cutting, unselfish screening, and finding open teammates, but that system fell apart during a critical stretch of Sunday’s road game against the fourth-seeded Nuggets. The 116-93 loss exposed multiple weaknesses in the absence of Stephen Curry, who was injured.
With 3:44 remaining in the third quarter, the tension peaked with the teams tied at 69-69. Podziemski received the ball deep and went for a layup, but he was immediately blocked by Christian Braun. Podziemski then opted for a jump shot that bounced off the rim.
While that might seem like a normal play, it wasn’t for Kerr, who expected ball rotation and proper playmaking from the young guard.
Despite having Kristaps Porzingis, the Warriors’ 7-foot-2 addition, standing free in the center and other available options on the perimeter and in the post, Podziemski went ahead with a contested floater over the Nuggets’ defense and missed. The missed shot resulted in a fast break by Braun, giving Denver a 71-69 edge.
This received a heated reaction from Steve Kerr, who could be seen screaming from the sideline, “PASS THE BALL! HE’S WIDE OPEN!”
Steve Kerr and Kristaps Porzingis were PISSED at Podz for not passing the ball
“PASS THE BALL HE’S WIDE OPEN.”pic.twitter.com/OjXXVnBupC
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) March 30, 2026
Porzingis, who finished the night with 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting, was one of the Warriors’ most efficient scoring threats all evening, making the missed pass even more glaring.
Podziemski’s mistake isn’t a grave one; rather, it’s an isolated incident, not a symptom of the Warriors’ offensive struggle. Despite leading 53-46 at the half, the Warriors failed to stop the Nuggets’ offensive force in the third quarter as Denver scored 40 points.
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Following that same intensity, the Nuggets dropped 30 in the final quarter to end the game with a 23-point lead. Nikola Jokić led all scorers with 25 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists on 10-of-20 shooting.
The loss snapped the Warriors’ three-game win streak and put them at 36-39 in the Western Conference. While Podziemski remains a key contributor without Curry, the lapse showed that if the ball doesn’t move, the offense crumbles.
