Unlike last year, Warriors bring a green group to Las Vegas and get smoked in opener
This year, the trio, suited in street clothes, was stationed on the sideline at Thomas & Mack Center.
To see a 106-73 defeat.
The Warriors were routed by the Portland Trail Blazers in the nightcap of summer league's second day, dropping their record to 1-3 — including the California Classic at Chase Center. Joining Podziemski, Jackson-Davis and Knox — a free agent wing who finished last season with Golden State — courtside among a spirited, lively group of spectators were teammates Quinten Post and Gui Santos, along with assistant coaches and executives.
Rookie second-round draftee Will Richard had 12 points, four rebounds, three rebounds, three steals and a block, converting 5 of 9 field goals. Fellow second-round draftee Alex Toohey missed seven of nine shots en route to seven points and four steals. Jackson Rowe had 12 points and three rebounds while Taran Armstrong added 10 points, seven assists and four steals.
Golden State trailed 23-4.
Portland rookie big man Yang Hansen as the 16th pick in the NBA draft (whom the Warriors hosted for a pre-draft visit) had 10 points, four rebounds and five assists — flashing his knowhow, swagger and skill. A Chinese center with a sizable following, wearing a tee bearing his name postgame, Yang was applauded upon his introduction and cheered consistently throughout play.
Golden State continues summer league Sunday against the Utah Jazz at Thomas & Mack Center. Richard said: 'We've got to start off with more energy, more physicality and we can't get down 20 in the first.'
Last year's summer league Warriors were led (at first) by Podziemski and Jackson-Davis a few months following rookie seasons in which they both played sizable roles. After shutdowns amid satisfactory showings, Knox (a former lottery pick with six seasons of NBA experience), then-two-way signee Pat Spencer and Rowe would lead.
This year's group lacks such experience — Podziemski and Jackson-Davis finished last season as starters while Knox and Spencer garnered standard contracts and Rowe earned a two-way from Santa Cruz — as only Rowe and Isaiah Mobley (one game) among rostered summer leaguers played last year in the NBA.
The score notwithstanding, Richard again showed his steely two-way feel — four times finishing at the basket and adding a baseline 19-footer opposite energetic defense. Toohey's offensive struggles persisted — save for a driving layup and a top-of-the-key triple in the fourth quarter — though he guarded across Portland's lineup.
Of Richard, Warriors summer league head coach Lainn Wilson said '(play) seems to be slowing down for him a little bit game by game. Especially defensively.' As for Toohey, Wilson said 'it's just going to take time to get there' after noting 'he kind of found his footing a little bit.'
Armstrong, a two-way signee like Rowe, provided second-quarter pace at the point that helped the Warriors pull within seven. He also made 2 of 4 from 3-point range as Rowe continued his steady summer, shooting 5 of 7 from the field.
Wilson, wanting a positive response Sunday, said 'overall, if they keep the intensity up and stick with it, the game will end up slowing down.'
Briefly: LJ Cryer didn't play for Golden State. … Rayan Rupert led Portland with 23 points.
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