Warriors’ Nate Williams Scores 18 Points, Says He ‘fears No Challenge’ Vs. Clippers

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Nate Williams says he ‘fears no challenge” after breaking out for 18 points in Warriors 114-101 loss against the Clippers. 
• Steve Kerr uncertain about Kristaps Porzingis’ availability for Warriors’ upcoming three-game road trip.
• Trae Young will make his Wizards debut on Thursday vs. Jazz, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

It hasn’t been an easy stretch for the Golden State Warriors. With injuries piling up to their biggest names, wins have been hard to come by. But if there’s been one clear positive, it’s been watching the rest of the roster embrace the opportunity in front of them.

With Jimmy Butler out for the season and both Steph Curry and Kristaps Porzingis sidelined in recent games, Golden State has had no choice but to lean on its depth. Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, and even rookie Will Richard have gone from rotation pieces to key contributors during this stretch.

On Monday night, in the Warriors’ 114-101 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, another name stepped into that spotlight. Two-way wing Nate Williams delivered a strong all-around performance, finishing with 18 points on 5-of-8 shooting, along with two rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 22 minutes on the floor.

Williams didn’t just produce offensively — he also embraced one of the toughest defensive assignments in the league, spending key possessions guarding Clippers small forward Kawhi Leonard. After the game, Williams made it clear he wasn’t intimidated by the matchup.

“[Kawhi Leonard] is a great player, but he bleeds just like I bleed,” Williams said. “I don’t fear no challenge.”

That mindset translated. He held his ground against a former two-time Finals MVP, and for a 27-year-old undrafted wing still trying to carve out a consistent role in the NBA, those are the kinds of minutes that matter.

Head coach Steve Kerr praised Williams’ energy and competitiveness afterward, reinforcing that that’s what it will take for the Warriors to survive this difficult stretch of games.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, March 3rd:

Warriors News:

Unheralded Nate Williams ready to contribute for Warriors: ‘I don’t fear no challenge’ | The Mercury News

It capped what had been a hectic last four days for Williams, who, according to Kerr, also recently became a father. 

He played 36 minutes Friday in Santa Cruz and scored 26 points for the Warriors’ G League team against San Diego. 

Then he made the commute up the coast and the most of his 15 minutes against the Lakers on Saturday, scoring seven points and dishing out two assists. 

Williams turned around just 18 hours later and put in 10 points in 10 minutes on Sunday afternoon, facing the G League Clippers again at Chase Center as part of the SeaDubs’ yearly showcase in San Francisco. 

Finally, he played 18 more minutes in Monday’s loss as one of the few bright spots for Golden State. 

Warriors stumble in non-Draymond Green minutes during loss to Clippers | NBC Sports Bay Area

“He’s still one of the great defenders in the league,” Kerr said of Green. “And he set the tone in that first half, and we were able to sustain the lead for much of the third. But they went on a run late in the third quarter, and cut it to two going into the fourth. They had a lot of momentum.

“But we had to get him out. He can’t play the whole game. And he played 31 minutes, which is a lot for him at this stage. But that was the key stretch.”

Green, who turns 36 on Wednesday, averages 26.6 minutes per game and has topped 31 in only 11 of the 50 games in which he has played this season. No doubt he was stretched.

Steve Kerr uncertain if Kristaps Porzingis will be available for Warriors’ upcoming road trip

NBA News:

Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo rusty in return but happy to be back | ESPN

Antetokounmpo racked up 19 points, 11 rebounds and 2 assists in the defeat.

“I’m just happy that I’m on the court,” he said after Monday’s game. “It doesn’t matter if I play 18 minutes, 20 minutes, 22, whatever, I’m just happy that I’m out there. Obviously did not play well tonight, but at the end of the day, I’m just happy that I’m out there being able to help my teammates in any way that I can and just do what I love, which is play basketball.”

Trae Young to make his Wizards debut on Thursday vs. Jazz

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Warriors vs. Clippers player grades: Nate Williams shows out

Nate Williams

22 minutes, 18 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 5-for-8 shooting, 3-for-4 threes, 5-for-6 free throws, 84.6% TS, +1

Well hello there, Nate Williams! After making his Warriors debut on Saturday, Williams played a critical role on Monday, and was one of the team’s best players, despite it being just the 49th game of his career. He was Golden State’s best shooter, and most aggressive offensive option. I certainly did not see that coming, but it was awesome.

Grade: A+

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