Warriors’ Kerr says Poole played his ‘best game’ Sunday

OKLAHOMA CITY — Immediately after Sunday’s victory at Sacramento, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said Jordan Poole had probably just played his best defensive game.

By the time the Warriors finished practice in Oklahoma City on Monday night, Kerr already knew he had to amend the statement.

“Watching the tape on the plane, I thought it was the best game that he’s ever played from a total two-way standpoint,” Kerr said. “He’s really making strides defensively, which is huge for us and huge for him. It’s exciting.”

Poole had 22 points, three rebounds and three assists, but what really excited Kerr was the third-year guard’s defense. Staying within the team’s scheme, defending without fouling and being physical, Poole had three steals and a blocked shot in helping the Warriors limit Sacramento’s dynamic starting backcourt of De’aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton to 25 points on 25 shots. Fox and Haliburton also combined for nine turnovers.

Kerr and assistant coach Mike Brown, along with some extra prodding from 37-yearold Andre Iguodala, have been all over Poole this season about trying to make a defensive jump similar to the offensive leap he made last season.

“He’s been very coachable since he got here his rookie year,” Kerr said. “He had to sort through a lot of things and figure out his whereabouts during an eventful and difficult season. But it was a great learning experience for him, and as soon as the season ended, he went to work. He hasn’t stopped. That’s the sign of a guy who has a lot of good stuff ahead of him.”

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