We hadn't seen much more Lindy Waters III since the preseason where he stood out rather positively, notably with a “buzzer beater” against the Clippers in Hawaii. The wound of Stephen Currycombined with those of De’Anthony Melton And Andrew Wiggins has somewhat reshuffled the cards in terms of playing time on the outside positions. And Lindy Waters III therefore took the opportunity to seize his chance last night against the Pelicans and show himself in his best light.
More than just a relay off the bench, the former Oklahoma State resident was actually one of the boosters who helped turn the tide of the match. Through his aggressiveness, his marksmanship and his accuracy, he stood out in particular with a big pass at the start of the third quarter to allow Golden State to get back in front and finish strong.
From shadow to light
After the meeting, Steve Kerr expressed his satisfaction at having been able to reward a deserving player, who knew how to be patient and respond when called upon.
“I said it since the first day of training camp, this guy is a real basketball player”, said the Warriors coach. “The game is fluid when he is on the field. It's not just because he's a good shooter. It’s also the shots he doesn’t take, thanks to his patience, it’s the cuts he makes towards the basket, it’s the fact of going into battle defensively.”
Author of 21 points at 8/13 shooting, two points short of his career record, he also compiled 8 rebounds and 4 assists (two career records), to finish with a +/- of +26, by far the best of the team, and with victory at the end. We're not far from the perfect evening…
“It always feels good. I come and work every day, whether my name is called or not. I remain the same person. But it feels good to win, especially after the way we started the match. We didn't look at the score, we knew how to stay focused, possession after possession.”he declared after the meeting.
Aware of his role
While he had only 13 minutes of playing time in total since the start of the regular season, Lindy Waters III benefited from 31 minutes last night, and his performance could well encourage Steve Kerr to keep him at this level as it stands. For his part, the player will not claim anything, whether he is requested again or not.
“I am grateful for what I have”Waters said. “I can't be greedy and have a bad attitude when I come, whether I get playing time or not. I will be the same person every day. I will always smile and encourage my teammates. Whatever my role, I will accept it. I just want the team to win. I just have to always be ready. That’s my mentality.”
The two teams find themselves in “back-to-back” this evening, still on the floor of Golden State. This time, the Pelicans will be warned.
| Lindy Waters III | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | OKC | 25 | 19 | 40.6 | 36.3 | 80.0 | 0.2 | 2.7 | 2.9 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 8.0 |
| 2022-23 | OKC | 41 | 13 | 39.3 | 35.8 | 80.0 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 5.2 |
| 2023-24 | OKC | 38 | 7 | 47.1 | 43.5 | 100.0 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 3.6 |
| 2024-25 | GOS | 4 | 11 | 68.4 | 58.3 | 100.0 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 8.8 |
| Total | 108 | 12 | 42.6 | 38.3 | 82.8 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 5.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
