Brandin Podziemski

In a day and age where players often deactivate social media and forgo “outside noise” ahead of the postseason, Brandin Podziemski found that a quick scroll provided all of the motivation necessary ahead of April 28, 2025’s Game Four. Inspired upon learning that five of the series’ top six scorers were on the opposition, the Golden State Warriors’ second-year talent searched for one of his many big-time buckets, using first a fake-and-sidestep combination to escape Amen Thompson’s reach. Money on the pull-up jumper thereafter, Podziemski brought the crowd to its feet through his night’s sixth triple, all the while ballooning Golden State’s final-quarter lead with its two-time Most Valuable Player on the sidelines. Admittedly relishing his opportunity, Podziemski rose to the occasion flawlessly, riding the six-trifecta night to a 26-point heatwave (on 9-of-18 shooting), alongside a five-rebound, five-assist, two-steal, one-block complement as he helped push the Houston Rockets to elimination’s brink.