In today’s DubHub:

The Golden State Warriors rallied to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 124-106 on Tuesday night. Missing key players like Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins and backup guard De’Anthony Melton, the Warriors got off to a rough start and trailed 31-14 by the end of the first quarter.

However, the game took a turn in the second quarter thanks to Lindy Waters III, who provided a spark for the team with big minutes off the bench. Waters’ nine points in the first half earned him the start in the second half, and he continued to impress, finishing the game with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in 31 minutes on the floor.

Afterward, head coach Steve Kerr praised Waters, describing him as one of the Warriors’ best players to date.

Waters made a compelling case for a spot in Golden State’s already crowded rotation with his standout performance against the Pelicans. His understanding of the Warriors system on offense, along with his high energy and activity on defense, were crucial to the team’s victory. Waters’ all-around impact on both ends of the court makes him a valuable asset, especially with Curry sidelined with an ankle injury, and could very well earn him more minutes in the future.

For more information on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news overview for Wednesday, October 30:

Warriors news:

Warriors share their thoughts on Lindy Waters’ big game against Pelicans

Jonathan Kuminga, Lindy Waters III and the Warriors’ evolving, complicated rotation puzzle | The Athletics

So this jumbo unit was the compromise. Coach Steve Kerr planned to give it a long runway. The people on the team estimated at least 10 or more games of a sample before deciding whether to stick with it. Green has been a continued advocate. It’s entirely possible that Kerr will be back at it again soon.

But a problem arose heading into the fourth game of the season. Curry sprained his ankle and is currently out. Without him, Kerr and his staff felt the spacing issues were too much, with Kuminga, Green and Jackson-Davis all together in the frontcourt. They still wanted a center next to Green. So they moved Kuminga to the bench and started Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield (in place of the injured Wiggins).

“I told him before the game: ‘You’re going to play a lot. This is just about combinations and getting a little more space at the start,” Kerr said of Kuminga. “All you have to do is shuffle the lineup to get the right group of five people.”

Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga comes off the bench vs. Pelicans | ESPN

Kerr said he explained this to Kuminga before the game. Kuminga said he received a text message from his coach about the decision, but the two did not have an extensive conversation.

“It wasn’t my decision. I got a text, this is how it’s going to go, this is who it’s going to be, and I went along with it,” Kuminga said. ‘What should I do… ask why I don’t start? This is the coach’s decision and we will follow what he does.”

He continued: “At the end of the day, I’m still a professional. I’m going to do what I have to do.”

Andrew Wiggins’ back injury is considered ‘mild’ according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic

Lindy Waters describes his shooting skills: “I have a belt around me, so I just wake up and I can shoot”

NBA News:

Mavericks-Timberwolves: 5 picks if Dallas wins West Finals rematch | N.B.A

Dončić was on the job for much of the match, engaging in a verbal jousting with some field fans whose mockery had some truth to it on Tuesday. He missed his first seven three-point shots, but with 1:04 to go and the Wolves closing in, he scored his eighth from 10 yards out to make it 117-109.

“Someone just said, ‘We’ve seen this movie before,’” Kidd said. “Luka likes the chance to win the game.”

Dončić said: “I don’t know how I take those photos and not normal photos. … I just need to get the rust out.”

Finch spoke for many NBA coaches and the concerns they have against Dallas when he said earlier in the evening: “They have an incredible pick-and-roll game, of course they have a Kyrie iso game and now (with Klay Thompson ) they have an off-ball game. They have become versatile. They can switch gears to do other things.”

Kevin Durant, LeBron James and NBA’s ‘Uncle Brigade’ won’t stop fighting. Cherish it | The Athletics

Yes, this era of old heads is different.

Don’t get it twisted. The changing of the guard in the NBA is underway. Nikola Jokić has already initiated the transition. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Luka Doncic. Anthony Edwards. Victor Wembanyama. The competition will be theirs. Their names on the marquee. Their presence attracted the masses. Their legacies are the subject of online battles.

Honestly, it should have already happened. If it wasn’t for the Uncle Brigade. Le Bron James. Stefan Curry. Kevin Durant. James Harden. Damian Lillard. Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler, when healthy. The NBA has never seen so many OGs cooking. Working on the grill in sandals and socks.

Bulls guard Lonzo Ball will be reevaluated in 10 days after suffering a right wrist sprain

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Player Classes: Warriors vs. Pelicans

Kuminga was moved to the bench, with Kerr explaining after the match that this was solely due to the lack of spacing, and that he wanted to break up the minutes of Kuminga, Green and Jackson-Davis. Kerr said he told Kuminga it would be a big match for him, just in a different role, and he wasn’t wrong. He may not have started, but he still played a season-high in minutes while clearly having his best game of the year.

He is an absolute threat when he goes downhill. New Orleans had no answer for Kuminga when he attacked the basket, with or without the ball. And he played strong man defense on Ingram.

Kerr relied heavily on Kuminga…he was the first substitute after seven minutes and stayed on the pitch for the next 15 minutes. His athleticism gave NOLA fits.

Figure: B+

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