Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee got his first start of the season in Thursday's 134-127 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, and though he's expected to start again on Saturday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he's not guaranteed to keep that role.
“We’ll see,” head coach Steve Kerr said after the game. “We’re just trying something a little different. We’re experimenting a little bit, just trying to get a little bit of a spark.”
McGee played 14 minutes in the win, scoring six points while grabbing four rebounds. However, with rookie Jordan Bell set to return from injury next week, he could return to a bench role.
There have only been 14 games this season in which McGee has received at least 10 minutes of playing time.
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“It’s definitely been hard not playing,” McGee said. “But I’m a vet and I’m a professional and you got to stay focused and think about the long run.
“The long run is a championship for this team. It’s a whole different mindset so you got to stay focused even when you’re not playing, because the fact is that your time could come at any time.”
Golden State tried to trade McGee before the trade deadline but found no takers.
McGee averaged less than 10 minutes per game last season and was expecting a larger role this year, but that has not been the case. He is averaging 4.2 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.2 minutes per game this season.
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