Getty
Pat Spencer of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after scoring during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Golden State Warriors completed a furious 17-point comeback Monday night to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 114-113. Pat Spencer led the team with 17 points. Gui Santos hit the game-winning layup with 19.4 seconds remaining and finished with 16 points.
Both players came up through the G League’s Santa Cruz Warriors together. Both have waited years for opportunities to prove they belong at the NBA level. Monday night represented validation for the work they’ve put in since joining the organization.
After the victory, Spencer reflected on what Santos’ game-winner meant and how their shared journey makes moments like this even more special.
Spencer Celebrates Santos’ Development
Spencer spoke with reporters after Monday’s game and was asked about Santos’ performance. His response revealed the depth of their friendship and how much time they’ve spent together over the past few years.
“Man, I’m pumped for Gui,” Spencer told NBC Sports Bay Area. “We’ve spent so much time together. Hiking back and forth from Santa Cruz to dinners, to just getting to know each other off the court.”
Spencer acknowledged the stress that comes with trying to establish yourself in the NBA. The league moves fast, and teammates come and go through trades and roster moves. But Spencer and Santos have been together since the beginning of their Warriors tenure, which makes their current success more meaningful.
“It’s pretty stressful. I mean, this league, I think, moves fast,” Spencer continued. “You lose teammates as time goes on, but we’ve been here from the jump together. Our first year here was together, so it’s pretty special. I’m really happy for him.”
The comment captures what makes professional sports relationships unique. Players bond over shared experiences, particularly when those experiences involve grinding through the minor leagues while hoping for NBA opportunities. Spencer and Santos traveled back and forth from Santa Cruz, shared meals, and built a friendship that extends beyond basketball.
“It’s pretty special.”
Pat Spencer gave a heartwarming answer on his bond with Gui Santos 🥹
Both Warriors Players Proving Their Value
GettyPat Spencer #61 of the Golden State Warriors.
Spencer and Santos spent the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons developing their games with Santa Cruz. They worked on their craft while watching NBA players get opportunities they wanted. The waiting game requires patience and persistence that not every prospect possesses.
This season, both have earned rotation roles with the Warriors. Spencer has averaged 16 points over his last four games. Santos has averaged 15 points over his last seven games. Their production comes at a crucial time for Golden State, which continues playing without Stephen Curry and is still waiting for Kristaps Porzingis to make his debut.
The Warriors recently signed Spencer to an NBA contract for the rest of the 2025-26 season. The move rewarded the energy and effort he’s brought since getting called up. Santos acknowledged what that contract means for his friend.
“I’m always happy to see a guy like Pat get an extended contract with the team because he deserves it,” Santos told reporters Saturday after the Warriors’ loss to the Lakers. “I can see that he works really hard every day, and you can see on the court.”
Santos pointed to how fans at Chase Center react when Spencer enters games. The energy he provides on defense gets the crowd engaged immediately. That intangible quality makes him valuable beyond just his scoring numbers.
“You can see when we play at home, he gets in the game, and the defense goes crazy,” Santos said. “Everybody loves him. He’s just a great guy to be around and a great player.”
What This Means for Warriors
GettySteve Kerr, Golden State Warriors.
Golden State sits at 29-25 in eighth place in the Western Conference. The Warriors have one more game before the All-Star break, at home against the San Antonio Spurs. They need every win they can get to improve their playoff seeding and avoid another play-in tournament appearance.
Spencer and Santos provide exactly what the Warriors need right now. They play with energy, make winning plays, and don’t require heavy usage to be effective. Both understand their roles and execute within the system that head coach Steve Kerr has established.
Monday night showed what they can do when given opportunities. Spencer’s 17 points kept the Warriors competitive throughout. Santos’ game-winning layup came after Al Horford grabbed multiple offensive rebounds and found him for the crucial basket. Both players made winning plays when the game was on the line.
The Warriors are stuck with their current roster for the remainder of the season. They can’t make trades or major additions. That reality makes Spencer and Santos even more important. Golden State will rely on them to help maintain playoff position until Curry returns and Porzingis debuts.
The Value of Shared Experiences
Spencer’s comments about his friendship with Santos highlight something often overlooked in professional sports coverage. The relationships players build matter. The shared experiences of grinding through the G League, waiting for opportunities, and finally getting chances to prove themselves create bonds that go beyond typical teammate relationships.
Both players have watched others get called up before them. They’ve dealt with the uncertainty of two-way contracts and wondered if they’d ever get extended opportunities. Now they’re both contributing to an NBA team fighting for playoff position.
That journey makes Monday night’s comeback victory even sweeter. Spencer led the team in scoring. Santos hit the game-winner. They did it together after spending years preparing for these moments.
The hiking trips back and forth from Santa Cruz that Spencer mentioned weren’t just commutes. They were opportunities to build friendship, discuss goals, and support each other through the uncertainty of trying to make it in the NBA. Those experiences shaped who they are as players and teammates.
Golden State needs more performances like Monday night from both players. The Warriors face a challenging stretch run without guaranteed star power every night. Spencer and Santos have shown they can step up when called upon. Their friendship and shared journey make them even more motivated to succeed together.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
More Heavy on Warriors
Loading more stories