The Warriors grabbed a hard-fought 112-108 win over the shorthanded Pelicans tonight, securing their spot in the NBA Cup knockout round. While Andrew Wiggins’ breakout 30-point game and Stephen Curry’s steady 19-point contribution stole the headlines, Brandin Podziemski quietly worked through his shooting struggles with a mix of grit and resilience.

Despite going 0-of-5 from downtown, Podz scored 11 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out three assists while making his lone free throw, proving that he could still make a meaningful impact even when his shot wasn’t falling.

However, it did not stop him from pointing out the bittersweet reality post-game. “I just go to trust the work,” Brandin Podziemski said. “Right now it seems like I can’t you know throw a rock in the ocean if I wanted to but um you know I think like you said I try to impact the game in as many ways as I can and control what I can control. And so, nights like tonight – didn’t make a three, but I found ways to impact the game, and I think that’s why I was out there late.”

For a second-year guard finding his place in the NBA, Brandin’s awareness of his slump is strikingly mature. His ability to shift focus from scoring to other aspects of the game, such as defense and ball movement, speaks volumes about his mental fortitude, as well. This approach was critical in a game where the Dubs leaned into their depth to complement Wiggs’ heroics.

And why was that? Simply because Podziemski’s shooting struggles have been too evident. The All-Rookie First Teamer is shooting just 18.9% from the deep in 14 games so far. As you saw above, these struggles continued against New Orleans, failing to connect from long range.

The challenges Brandin faced hadn’t gone unnoticed by Steve Kerr at all.

Brandin Podziemski has the complete confidence of his coach as he navigates the rough stretch

In a presser earlier this week, the Warriors’ coach addressed the issue. “He’s not shooting much confidence right now. I think that’s obvious. This is part of being in the NBA. … Everybody goes through stretches where, you know, you just don’t quite feel it.” 

But?

“The way he shot at the end of last year, all summer, watching him, in camp. He’s a really good shooter. So, he will find it. We gotta help him a little bit. Right now, he is just not in rhythm,” the 9x champ added. Clearly, Coach Kerr believes it’s too early to drop in the towel just yet.

Although Brandin Podziemski is working to find his shooting spark, it does not stop him from contributing in any and every way he can. His ability to stay engaged in other facets of the game has certainly earned him Kerr’s trust.

Whether it’s his 11 points, timely defense, or court vision, the 20-year-old continues to contribute when it matters most. In a season full of highs and lows, Podziemski’s mindset and work ethic could turn this shooting slump into a pivotal learning experience. As Kerr said, “He’ll find it,” and when he does, the Warriors will have yet another weapon in their already stacked lineup.

For now, Podz remains focused on controlling what he can control—putting in the work, trusting the process, and helping his team win, even if the ocean seems impossibly far away.