The Golden State Warriors have promoted two-way guard Pat Spencer to a standard NBA contract for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. The move comes after his career-high 20-point performance in a win over the Phoenix Suns. Spencer, a 29-year-old former lacrosse star, has impressed with his work ethic and contributions off the bench.
Pat Spencer, who transitioned from a standout college lacrosse career to pursuing NBA dreams, has secured a full-time role with the Golden State Warriors. The team announced on Saturday that they converted his two-way contract to a standard NBA deal ahead of their game against the Los Angeles Lakers. This marks the second consecutive season Spencer receives such a promotion, following a similar move last March before the playoffs.
Spencer's breakout came in Thursday's 101-97 comeback victory over the Phoenix Suns, where he scored a career-high 20 points, including six 3-pointers, while adding six rebounds and solid defensive reads. He had exhausted his 50-game allotment as a two-way player in that contest, putting the Warriors at risk of losing him. Coach Steve Kerr expressed relief after the trades that opened roster spots. "I was really worried that we were gonna lose him after 50 games and not be able to do anything," Kerr said post-game. The Warriors traded Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, and Trayce Jackson-Davis before the deadline, creating space for Spencer and acquiring Kristaps Porziņģis.
This season, Spencer averages 5.8 points, 2.9 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 14.4 minutes across 36 games, shooting 43.1 percent from beyond the arc. In five starts, he has posted 14.6 points, 5.4 assists, five rebounds, and 1.4 steals, with 54.2 percent 3-point accuracy. Notable performances include 19 points in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers and a strong showing against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Spencer's journey resonates with teammates: a Tewaaraton Award winner at Loyola Maryland, he played one basketball season at Northwestern, went undrafted in 2020, and joined the Warriors on a two-way deal in February 2024 after G League and overseas stints. Kerr praised his impact: "Thrilled to have Pat... His competitiveness and support for the group [is] pretty profound." With Stephen Curry sidelined by a knee injury, Spencer's promotion bolsters Golden State's bench amid an injury-riddled campaign.
