As Brandin Podziemski enters his third NBA season with the Golden State Warriors, he faces heightened expectations for both his offensive and defensive contributions. The 6-foot-5 two-way guard has garnered praise from Warriors superstars, including Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, due to his relentless playing style and exceptional ability to draw charges. However, concerns about his inconsistent shooting have been raised, particularly in light of the Warriors’ uneven start to the 2025-26 season.
The current season has seen the Warriors off to a 2-1 start, yet Podziemski’s performance has not been a focal point. Following their first loss of the season—a lopsided 139-119 defeat against the Portland Trail Blazers—questions about Podziemski’s impact have intensified. While fellow young player Jonathan Kuminga has been making headlines for his impressive plays, Podziemski’s quiet outings are becoming a topic of concern.
According to recent observations, Podziemski’s early season statistics are worrisome: He averages just 8.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists with a troubling effective field goal percentage of 44.0%. This decline in offensive production is compounded by a defensive rating of 121 per 100 possessions, which highlights challenges he faces on that end as well. With the Warriors taking the weekend to regroup before facing the Memphis Grizzlies, Podziemski’s role and performance will be closely monitored.
Fortunately for the 23-year-old Santa Clara University alum, he has previously navigated early season struggles, showcasing his ability to turn things around. In the latter half of the 2024-25 season, Podziemski posted impressive averages of 15.5 points and 5.9 rebounds, along with a notable 105.6 defensive rating during the 28 games post-All-Star break. This experience may prove invaluable as he seeks to regain his form and contribute significantly to the Warriors’ title aspirations.
With the potential for improvement and the opportunity to learn from past challenges, there remains hope that Podziemski can elevate his game and help propel the Warriors toward a successful season.