Nothing about 12 points and six assists screams staple point guard, but for Quinn Cook, it was all that was needed of him against a playoff-caliber team to punch his ticket to a spot in the Golden State Warriors playoff roster.
It took a few games, but Cook has showed he belongs, and he's done it with masterful adaptability — first shaking off the hesitation to shoot, and then finding comfort being the focal point of the offense.
The return of Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant has changed that role yet again for Cook, but this time around he's adapted beautifully — making up for a woeful offensive night from Draymond Green, who could only get free throws to go down against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Cook started the game 0-for-2, but made all of his next four field goals, including a clutch corner three to keep the Thunder at bay, and two clutch free throws with 18 seconds left in the game — which saved a potential catastrophic ending after a costly turnover.
“It doesn't surprise us at all, this is what we've come to expect of Quinn,” said head coach Steve Kerr. “He's probably not gonna be a 30-point guy in the playoffs, that's not how the playoffs work, but this is more like a playoff game where KD and Westbrook are taking 20-25 shots, whatever they take with the stars dominating and all the role players have to do their part, and I thought Quinn did a great job with that.”
Cook's stats won't blow anyone's mind with All-Stars like Durant and Thompson on the floor, but he is exactly what the Warriors need to hold down the fort until Stephen Curry's impending return.
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