BOSTON — Kevon Looney crashed the offensive glass Wednesday night, as he so often does for the Golden State Warriors, at TD Garden — where he helped them beat the Boston Celtics.
Again.
“Whatever you need, he’s there for you,” head coach Steve Kerr said afterward.
Twice in the final two minutes of Golden State’s 118-112 victory over the defending NBA champions, Looney collected his teammates’ misses and promptly placed them in the basket. He closed at center with Stephen Curry, Buddy Hield — or Gary Payton II on defensive possessions — Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green.
In 16 minutes, Looney had six points and 10 rebounds — garnering postgame praise from Curry.
“Very reminiscent of every big moment he’s been a part of to help us win at the highest level,” the star guard said while alluding to Looney’s contributions to Golden State’s 2021-22 championship team. Looney that postseason started 13 games and led the Warriors with an average of 7.6 rebounds.
In a Game 4 road victory over the Celtics in the NBA Finals — also one of Curry’s most iconic outings — Looney came off the bench to secure 11 rebounds while playing to a game-high plus-21.
“He’s just super smart,” Curry added. “We know he knows where to be at all times and how to play position basketball. So, it’s been great.”
Spurring Looney’s start this season are the offseason changes he made to his diet and workout regimen. Intermittent fasting with extensive cardio helped the 10th-year veteran shed 15-plus pounds.
He reported to training camp in top condition.
“He’s moving well and still able to be physical,” Curry said.
As a result, Looney is averaging 8.4 rebounds in 16.3 minutes to lead the Warriors, who lead the NBA in rebounding again with 49.5 rebounds per game. Looney’s 4.3 offensive rebounds per game rank third in the NBA, one-tenth behind the Clippers’ Ivica Zubac and Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic who are doing it in 34-plus minutes per game. As a sturdy screen setter and defender who knows the nuances of late-game situations, Looney is counted on by Kerr to close or steady challenging situations.
After Wednesday’s victory over the Celtics, Kerr called him a “winner.”
“One thing with (Looney), even though he’s not a 3-point shooter or a lob threat, he just generates extra possessions for us all the time,” Kerr said. “Sometimes it’s a tip-in or two like he had (against the Celtics). Sometimes it’s a kickback out for 3.”
Always, it’s with energy and effort.
“We’re sharper across the board — top to bottom. We’ve been focusing on details,” Looney added Wednesday night. “There’s a lot of talent in this league and all the small things could change a game, change the season. … I think everyone’s been locked in to start the season.”
