Closing playoff win with Warriors' core was ‘special' for JP

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Midway through the fourth quarter of Thursday night's Game 3 between the Warriors and Denver Nuggets, Jordan Poole found himself on the bench as Golden State tried to wrestle away a win in the Mile High City.

But with 5:26 left, Kerr inserted Poole into the game and the third-year guard closed out Golden State's 118-113 win alongside Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Andrew Wiggins, with Andre Iguodala chipping in as well.

Poole's first two playoff games were blowouts, as the Warriors steamrolled the Nuggets in the Bay Area to take a two-games-to-none series lead. This was Poole's first real moment in the playoff pressure cooker. To be trusted to close a playoff game alongside Curry, Thompson and Green meant a lot to the third-year guard.

"Just being out there with those guys, late in the game and in that moment, was extremely special," Poole said after the game. "You get to see how locked in and focused they are offensively and defensively, and how everything matters. Being able just to see guys just make big shots and make big plays and have laser focus, that's something that is truly special to be a part of and be able to experience.

"They allow me to be me. I fit right in with those guys. It was definitely special tonight to be a part of."

Poole has been sensational in his first three career playoff games.

After scoring 27 points Thursday night, Poole now has 86 points on 42 shots. He earned his spot alongside Curry, Green, and Thompson, and showed Thursday that he's built for the championship grind just as they are.

Down the stretch Thursday night, with the desperate Nuggets throwing everything at them, everyone made big plays.

Thompson knocked down several 3-pointers to halt runs, Green stripped Nikola Jokic on the biggest play of the game and Curry put the Mile High City to sleep with a clutch layup. But it was a dazzling layup by Poole and a massive 3-pointer by Wiggins, their first huge playoff moments, that caught the eye of Kerr.

"The fun part is seeing Jordan go through it for the first time," Kerr said. "Really seeing [Andrew Wiggins] come up. I thought he had the shot of the game; that corner three was huge. Everybody stepped up. 

"We've got an interesting mix with all these vets who have been there, and then some news guys who are getting a taste of what it's like. They all came through tonight." 

RELATED: Warriors snatch Nuggets' spirit in Game 3

A week ago, the Warriors were an unknown when it came to the championship picture. They hadn't been healthy all season. We hadn't seen the new Death Lineup. It was unclear if they would jell or how fast. No one knew how the newcomers would respond under the intense heat of the playoffs.

It was only their first test, but Poole and Wiggins passed with flying colors and earned their spots next to the three future Hall of Famers in the closing lineup.

Less than a week later, the Warriors now look like they have what it takes to finish off their planned dynastic resurrection.

Curry, Thompson, and Green waited two years to return to this stage. They found out Thursday night they have two more rough riders who they can trust to deliver in the biggest moments.

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