Warriors vs. Suns Player Ratings: Steph Curry Responds Strongly, Brandin Podziemski Impresses

 The Golden State Warriors did exactly what they needed to do on Tuesday, and they did it in dominant fashion, cruising to a 133-95 victory over the Phoenix Suns in a game that was never in doubt. With the win, the Warriors remain firmly in the playoff picture, now holding the No. 6 seed. They are tied with the No. 4 LA Clippers (who won Tuesday), No. 5 Denver Nuggets (who had the day off), and No. 7 Memphis Grizzlies (who also won). They’re just one game behind the No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers and one game ahead of the No. 8 Minnesota Timberwolves, who both lost on Tuesday.

Let’s break down the standout performances. As always, grades are based on my expectations for each player, with a “B” representing an average performance for that player.

Moses Moody
18 minutes, 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 2-for-5 shooting, 1-for-3 threes, 50.0% TS, +19
After a rough outing on Sunday, Moody bounced back with a solid performance on Tuesday. While his stats weren’t mind-blowing, his defense was crucial in limiting Devin Booker to a 7-for-17 shooting night with 5 turnovers and a game-worst -32 plus/minus. Moody has emerged as a top-tier perimeter defender, a key element in making the Andrew Wiggins-for-Jimmy Butler III trade a success.
Grade: A

Jimmy Butler III
20 minutes, 10 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2-for-4 shooting, 6-for-7 free throws, 70.6% TS, +22
Butler didn’t need to score a ton in this game, but his all-around contributions were essential. He’s been a key low-scoring contributor for the Warriors, and if he continues this form, his value will keep growing.
Grade: B+

Draymond Green
20 minutes, 5 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 1 foul, 1-for-4 shooting, 1-for-2 threes, 2-for-2 free throws, 51.2% TS, +19
Green wasn’t required to do much offensively, and his turnovers were a bit high, but his defense was stellar, as always.
Grade: B-

Brandin Podziemski
22 minutes, 22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, 7-for-12 shooting, 4-for-6 threes, 4-for-4 free throws, 79.9% TS, +20
Podziemski is playing out of his mind lately, averaging 23.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists over the last four games. He’s been a dual threat on offense and defense, guarding players like Bradley Beal while putting up big numbers.
Grade: A+

Steph Curry
26 minutes, 25 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 9-for-17 shooting, 3-for-9 threes, 4-for-4 free throws, 66.6% TS, +31
Curry took control of the game from the start and didn’t need to play the fourth quarter. While it wasn’t his absolute best game, his ability to turn it up whenever necessary stood out.
Grade: A+
Post-game bonus: Led the team in points and assists, tied for the team lead in rebounds, best plus/minus on the team.

Buddy Hield
21 minutes, 7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 3-for-8 shooting, 1-for-6 threes, 43.8% TS, +9
Hield didn’t have his best game, struggling with his shooting, though his defense and rebounding were solid.
Grade: C+

Jonathan Kuminga
21 minutes, 10 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 4-for-9 shooting, 0-for-2 threes, 2-for-2 free throws, 50.6% TS, +9
Kuminga is still working his way back into form after an injury, and while he's not quite clicking yet, his athleticism and defense were positive signs.
Grade: B-

Gui Santos
21 minutes, 7 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 3-for-7 shooting, 1-for-4 threes, 50.0% TS, +15
Santos has become a key player off the bench for the Warriors, contributing on both ends of the court. His energy, defense, and offensive movement have been vital for the team.
Grade: A
Post-game bonus: Tied for the team lead in rebounds.

Kevon Looney
14 minutes, 2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 fouls, 1-for-4 shooting, 25.0% TS, +13
Looney didn’t need to do much in this game, but his presence on the court continues to calm the Warriors’ offense.
Grade: B

Trayce Jackson-Davis
19 minutes, 13 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 4-for-5 shooting, 0-for-1 threes, 5-for-7 free throws, 80.4% TS, +9
Jackson-Davis impressed in his first significant minutes in a while, stepping up after Quinten Post was scratched due to illness. He showed his athleticism, rebounding, and scoring ability.
Grade: A+

Pat Spencer
12 minutes, 10 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 turnovers, 4-for-6 shooting, 2-for-3 threes, 83.3% TS, +4
Spencer made the most of his garbage-time minutes, playing efficiently and contributing across the board.
Grade: A-

Kevin Knox II
9 minutes, 10 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 3-for-6 shooting, 1-for-3 threes, 3-for-4 free throws, 64.4% TS, +9
Knox made the most of his limited playing time, showcasing his scoring ability.
Grade: A

Jackson Rowe
9 minutes, 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2-for-2 shooting, 1-for-1 threes, 1-for-2 free throws, 104.2% TS, +9
Rowe took advantage of extended minutes to display his scoring skills.
Grade: A

Braxton Key
7 minutes, 1 point, 1 rebound, 2 steals, 0-for-4 shooting, 0-for-1 threes, 1-for-2 free throws, 10.2% TS, +2
Key got a brief run and made his mark with some defense, but struggled shooting.
Grade: B

Tuesday’s DNP-CDs: Taran Armstrong
Tuesday’s inactives: Gary Payton II, Quinten Post