Comfortable and confident Waters takes a step forward in Warriors’ victory against Grizzlies originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – Despite sitting on the bench for long periods, Lindy Aguas III He hasn’t had much difficulty maintaining his concentration. If that ever becomes a distraction, the Warriors’ fourth-year guard gives himself a gentle mental nudge.
“You just have to remember where I am,” Waters said after Golden State victory 121-113 over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. “I’m grateful for where I am. If I have to be early in the first quarter or late in the fourth quarter, it doesn’t matter what time it is, I’ll just go, come in here and give it my all. Just have fun with it.
“I’m just where my feet are.”
Waters’ feet were on the court during the decisive moment at Chase Center against Memphis. He scored eight of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, including a pair of key deep shots in the final five and a half minutes to help the resurgent Warriors earn their third win in four games.
Waters, who went undrafted in the 2021 college draft and was acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder last July, scored in double figures for the second straight game. That’s something the 27-year-old reserve had done only twice before since his rookie season.
It was also big, especially when Waters got hot in the fourth quarter. The Warriors, who were already playing without Stephen Curry, lost Jonathan Kuminga to a sprained right ankle in the first half. That meant Golden State was without its two best playmakers when the game was on the line.
“Lindy is a really great shooter,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “The season started hot and then it cooled down. This is all part of his development and progression as a young player. You just have to ride the wave like a shooter. There are times when the ball doesn’t go in but you can’t let that affect your confidence.
“He’s really recovered well here. He seems more confident and more comfortable now than he did a few weeks ago. “He has done a great job preparing himself mentally.”
Waters didn’t make much of his night, but he applauded his teammates for stepping up while Curry rested.
As a team, the Warriors shot over 50 percent from the floor and were 24 of 43 from long range. They were also extremely effective moving the ball and had 32 assists on 44 baskets.
“We’d be happy to have it, but guys were sharing the ball, staring at them and knocking them down, and that’s contagious,” Waters said. “We’re just trying to take advantage of this and take it into the future.”
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