The Warriors lost yet another game on Thursday, this time in Dallas to the Mavericks, but there was one bright spot — rookie wing Moses Moody.
Moody helped turn the tide in the Warriors’ direction late in the game with a big fourth quarter, scoring 13 points including consecutive 3-point shots. The second tied the score at 104-104 before Golden State ultimately lost, 122-113.
Actually, Moody’s 13 points came in succession, per the Warriors’ official Twitter account. And by the way, notice Moody’s elite shooter’s touch on this made bucket.
After the game, coach Steve Kerr made a big statement on Moody’s behalf, saying that the 19-year-old proved he belongs in his rotation, including the NBA Playoffs.
Well now. That escalated quickly.
Here are Kerr’s full comments. He mentions that Moody is the type of player that is coveted in the NBA Playoffs. He has height, length, and toughness, all of which help him on defense. Plus, he can shoot from distance.
Moody has had long stretches on the bench this season and also multiple stops in the G-League, where he’s played exceedingly well. He’s also had a few spot starts for Golden State with mixed results. But Moody is inexperienced, and it appears he’s gaining confidence at this late stage of the season.
The Warriors are in the middle of a very rough patch of basketball as they await forward Draymond Green’s return. Golden State won nine straight games without Green when he first left the lineup with a back injury, but since then, the wheels have fallen off. When Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Green are back together on the court for the first time since 2019, it won’t solve all of Kerr’s problems; his team will still need role players.
Moody fits the bill, according to Kerr. And it’s his opinion that matters most. Though the Warriors are sliding right now, they have the second-best record in the NBA. Still, they’ll have to pick it up to hold off the charging Grizzlies and lurking Jazz, not to mention the Mavericks, who are playing exceptionally well and not far behind, either.
So it’s a good thing that Moody has made this apparent leap in his career. The Warriors’ big three are going to need all the help they can get. It seems that Moody and his fellow rookie, Jonathan Kuminga, will have their chance to be vital role players much sooner than most (not the BASH) expected.
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