Grading Warriors Players After Their Depleted Team Couldn’t Overcome Pacers In 96-108 Loss

The short-handed Golden State Warriors, missing six players including Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Andrew Wiggins, fell to the Indiana Pacers 108-96 on Friday night. Former Pacers star Buddy Hield and Pat Spencer each scored 17 points to lead Golden State, with Spencer setting a season high in scoring. 

Despite their depleted roster on the second night of a back-to-back, the Warriors showed resilience, cutting a 15-point deficit to just five by halftime and pulling within three early in the third quarter. However, Indiana, led by Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam with 25 points each, had an answer for every Warriors run. Haliburton added 10 assists, while Siakam recorded 10 rebounds, helping the Pacers secure their fifth straight win.

Golden State battled throughout, with strong performances from Spencer and Trayce Jackson-Davis, but a 17-2 second-quarter run by Indiana shifted momentum, turning a one-point Warriors lead into a 46-31 Pacers advantage. 

The Pacers' depth and balance proved too much as they outscored Golden State 54-46 in the paint and found their rhythm from beyond the arc in critical moments. While it was a tough loss for Golden State, their younger players gained valuable experience, showing grit despite the absence of key stars. Let's grade the players for their performances tonight. 

Pat Spencer: B-

Stats: 17 PTS, 3 REB (1 OREB, 2 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 1 PF, 7-12 FG, 1-3 3PT, 2-2 FT, -2, 20 MIN

Spencer was a bright spot for Golden State, scoring a season-high 17 points on efficient 7-of-12 shooting in just 20 minutes. His aggressiveness on offense kept the Warriors competitive, though his impact was limited by 3 turnovers and only 1 assist. Despite these flaws, his effort and efficiency were commendable.

Buddy Hield: C+

Stats: 17 PTS, 4 REB (0 OREB, 4 DREB), 5 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 6-19 FG, 3-12 3PT, 2-2 FT, -16, 35 MIN

Hield matched Spencer’s 17 points but struggled with his shot, going 6-of-19 from the field and 3-of-12 from beyond the arc. While he contributed 5 assists and 4 rebounds, his -16 plus-minus highlighted the challenges Golden State faced with him on the court. Hield’s inconsistency ultimately limited his impact.

Dennis Schroder: C+

Stats: 12 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 4 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 4 PF, 5-13 FG, 1-6 3PT, 1-1 FT, -10, 29 MIN

Schroder scored 12 points and added 4 assists, but his inefficiency (5-of-13 FG, 1-of-6 3PT) and 3 turnovers hindered his performance. His defensive effort, with 2 steals, helped offset some of his offensive struggles, but his -10 plus-minus underscored a tough night overall.

Gui Santos: C+

Stats: 11 PTS, 3 REB (1 OREB, 2 DREB), 3 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 4-5 FG, 2-2 3PT, 1-2 FT, +9, 24 MIN

Santos had an efficient scoring night, tallying 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting, including 2-of-2 from deep. He also added 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, making the most of his 24 minutes with a team-best +9 plus-minus. His energy and efficiency were a highlight for the Warriors.

Trayce Jackson-Davis: C+

Stats: 9 PTS, 10 REB (3 OREB, 7 DREB), 1 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 3-6 FG, 0-0 3PT, 3-4 FT, -6, 27 MIN

Jackson-Davis delivered a solid defensive effort with 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block while scoring 9 points. His presence on the boards was essential, but his limited offensive contributions and a -6 plus-minus kept his impact in check.

Kyle Anderson: C+

Stats: 8 PTS, 7 REB (2 OREB, 5 DREB), 5 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 4-9 FG, 0-2 3PT, 0-0 FT, -23, 26 MIN

Anderson showed his versatility with 8 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal, and a block. However, he struggled to score efficiently (4-of-9 FG) and posted a -23 plus-minus, reflecting Golden State’s difficulties during his time on the court.

Lindy Waters: C+

Stats: 7 PTS, 5 REB (1 OREB, 4 DREB), 2 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 3 PF, 3-8 FG, 1-5 3PT, 0-1 FT, -13, 35 MIN

Waters contributed 7 points and 5 rebounds in 35 minutes but struggled with his shot (3-of-8 FG, 1-of-5 3PT). He added 2 assists but committed 2 turnovers and 3 fouls, limiting his overall effectiveness. His effort on the boards was a positive, though.

Moses Moody: C

Stats: 7 PTS, 1 REB (1 OREB, 0 DREB), 2 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 3-11 FG, 1-5 3PT, 0-0 FT, +7, 23 MIN

Moody had a tough shooting night, scoring 7 points on 3-of-11 shooting, including 1-of-5 from three. While he added 2 assists and 2 steals, his offensive inefficiency and 3 fouls reduced his impact. His +7 plus-minus was a small silver lining in limited minutes.

Kevon Looney: C

Stats: 2 PTS, 7 REB (2 OREB, 5 DREB), 2 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 1-4 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, -12, 14 MIN

Looney was quiet offensively, scoring just 2 points on 1-of-4 shooting, but he contributed defensively with 7 rebounds and 2 steals. His limited minutes (14) and -12 plus-minus reflected a tough matchup against Indiana’s depth and size.

Quinten Post: N/A

Stats: 6 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 2-4 FG, 1-2 3PT, 1-1 FT, +6, 7 MIN

Post made the most of his 7 minutes, scoring 6 points on 2-of-4 shooting, including 1-of-2 from deep. While his sample size was small, his +6 plus-minus and scoring efficiency offered a brief spark off the bench.