The Warriors' rotation centers, Kevon Looney and Dario Saric, were not their best big men on Sunday night in Portland. Coach Steve Kerr acknowledged it.
Kerr and everyone at Moda Center witnessed rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis emerge from the bench and make a significant impact, unlike Looney or Saric.
Given his stellar performance in Golden State's 118-114 win over the Trail Blazers, Jackson-Davis was a fitting postgame topic.
Dario's third foul brought Trayce into the game, Kerr told Portland reporters. "But before every game, we try to get Trayce out. Impressive guy. Look at his athleticism.”
If Saric had avoided early foul trouble, Jackson-Davis may have recorded another DNP-Coach's Decision. Which would have cost the Warriors his production.
He scored 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals, one block, and several drives to the rim.
“Trayce hit the offensive boards, had energy on the defensive side, going after the ball, trying to block every shot he could,” Andrew Wiggins said. “It changed our game.”
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