OAKLAND — Kevin Durant’s extended absence has exposed some potential Warrior pitfalls. His return is vital for a title push. But positives can still emerge from adverse situations. For Golden State, the forceful shove of Patrick McCaw into a prominent role could prove valuable down the line.
McCaw has gone from the fringe of the rotation to a 25-minute per night guy, starting seven of the eight games Durant has missed. The results have been mixed.
McCaw hit three 3s and had seven rebounds in the win at Atlanta. He delivered three assists and played solid defense against the Magic.