Kevon Looney got his first start of the Warriors’ second-round NBA playoff series in Game 6 against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday and immediately made an impact.
Looney was brought in to deal with 6-foot-11, 250-pound Grizzlies’ center Steven Adams, who has been effective this series against a smaller Warriors team.
He clearly understood the assignment.
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Looney grabbed 11 rebounds in the first quarter, tying a franchise playoff record for most rebounds in a quarter since the Warriors moved to the West Coast. It was also the most rebounds he has had in any quarter in his career.
Looney took the spot of rookie Jonathan Kuminga in the starting lineup. Kuminga started the previous three games of the series after Gary Payton II’s left elbow injury in Game 2.
Related: Kerr: Looney playing all 82 games a 'badge of honor'
Golden State Warriors
The big man started a majority of games for the Warriors during the regular season, but hadn’t started in the playoffs since Game 4 of the first round against the Denver Nuggets.
It’s safe to say he proved the Warriors’ coaches right by giving him the nod in Game 6.