Amid All-Star Stephen Curry's recovery from a right knee injury, Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski has taken on an increased role. As head coach Steve Kerr said after the three-game losing streak, the newfound opportunity has given Podziemski a boost in confidence. While Kerr's reality check regarding the Warriors' playoff approach was considered challenging, Kerr cannot ignore how beneficial it has been to Brandin.
Without Curry, Podziemski, in only his third season, will be one of the Warriors players Kerr will rely on, as these regular season reps will only make him better, Kerr said, according to Danny Ammerman of the San Francisco Standard.
"It's a great experience for Brandin," Kerr said Saturday in Atlanta. “I mean, 20 games without Steph.”
As for Podziemski, he's learned a very important lesson amid Curry's absence.
"[That] I can do it,” Podziemski said.
Brandin Podziemski struggled in the Warriors' 126-110 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. He finished with five points and one assist on 2-for-6 shooting. However, he has been playing consistently well throughout March for the Warriors, averaging 16.2 points on 42.8% shooting, including 37.% from deep, 5.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals over the last 11 games.
Steve Kerr's blunt opinion on Warriors' 'tough times'
Head coach Steve Kerr didn't hold back about the Warriors struggling toward the finish line of the 2025-26 regular season without Stephen Curry. Kerr says Warriors have suffered eight defeats in nine tries this is the hardest part According to Warriors reporter Joseph Dykes, he talked about being an NBA coach for a team struggling with injuries.
“This is the hardest thing to go through,” Kerr said. "Losing and getting destroyed by injuries. And feeling like you're pushing, you're trying, you're competing, but things aren't going your way. It's definitely a tough, tough time for everybody. It's human nature to get down, hang your head."
"Certainly, it's a tough, tough time, for everybody, it's human nature to, you know, kind of keep your head down."
Steve Kerr after the Warriors' loss to the Hawks. pic.twitter.com/nqpCMusnkI
-Joseph Dycus (@joseph_dycus) 22 March 2026
The Warriors, 33-38, have dropped to 10th, 1.5 games behind the Blazers for ninth in the Western Conference standings.
