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Steve Kerr Sends Pat Spencer Message as Warriors’ Decision Nears
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Steve Kerr Sends Pat Spencer Message as Warriors’ Decision Nears

Originally posted on Athlon Sports  |  By Ankit K.  |  Last updated Dec 7, 2025 2:11 AM ET
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Pat Spencer picked the perfect moment for the best game of his NBA career. Thrust into the starting lineup amid the team's struggles with injuries, the Warriors’ two-way guard delivered 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting.

The 29-year-old's performance included a career-high three made threes, while adding seven assists, four rebounds and a steal in the Golden State Warriors’ 99–94 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was his third straight game scoring at least 16 points. He continued a stretch in which he has averaged 17.3 points, 5.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.0 steal in 24.7 minutes per game.

Afterward, Steve Kerr did not hide just how much Spencer has impressed the coaching staff.

"Well, he's just a gamer," Kerr said. "I mean, I don't know if he's a throwback. I just think he's, um, he's a guy that you, you just want on your team... Every night, every day at practice, he just brings it. He's the ultimate pro, and I think every guy on our team has a ton of confidence in Pat."

But behind the praise is a looming roster decision. Spencer is playing on a two-way contract, which allows him to appear in only 50 regular-season games. He has already used 24 of those active slots, and the Warriors, who rely heavily on him when Stephen Curry sits, are quickly approaching the point where his availability will become restricted.

Earlier, Kerr acknowledged the dilemma of limited games:

"Yeah, I mean, he's played twenty-four tonight, maybe twenty-two the other night," Kerr said. "So, without Steph, for sure, he's, he's gotta be out there. And it'll be great to find a way to get him on the roster because he's kind of the perfect guy to have, you know, as a backup.

"You know, he can win you games like he almost did tonight. But, you know, if he doesn't play, he brings the same energy, the same attitude, the next game. So, be great if we could find a way, but it's, it's a little tricky."

Converting Spencer to a standard deal would free him to play unlimited games and make him playoff-eligible, yet Golden State currently has a full roster and faces salary-cap constraints. With Spencer emerging as a legitimate rotation piece, the Warriors’ front office could also explore trade options to open a spot.

Golden State Warriors guard Pat Spencer (61) drives for a shot between Philadelphia 76ers center Adem Bona (30) and guard Quentin Grimes (5) at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Golden State’s decision might be coming, and each strong performance from Spencer makes it harder to delay.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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