Dub Hub, Daily Warriors Links for 4/25/23: Former Warrior JTA calls Game 5 a ‘must-win’ for Golden State

Good Morning Dub Nation,

Juan Toscano-Anderson — or “JTA” as he’s known around Dub Nation — was one of the feel-good stories for the Golden State Warriors in recent years. The Oakland native grew up a lifelong fan of the Warriors and would eventually achieve his dream of playing for his hometown team in 2019. He served as the team’s tough, savvy veteran off the bench who supplied Golden State with depth and energy whenever his number was called. Although the Warriors did not re-sign him this past offseason, JTA remains a lifelong fan of his hometown team as he spoke about them and more in a recent interview with 95.7 The Game.

Toscano-Anderson also shared his thoughts on the Warriors’ upcoming Game 5 matchup against the Sacramento Kings. Although he says the momentum seems to be on the Warriors’ side, the Kings are still a formidable foe that should not be underestimated.

“I think they (the Warriors) do have momentum, but also the Kings are a really good team,” Toscano-Anderson said. “They were the number three team, they’ve been in the top of the standings all season long and you know that’s for a reason. They’ve been winning games and more importantly they’ve been handling things at home. You can’t be one of the higher seeds if you don’t win games at home. So, it’s really hard to say because I feel like speaking so highly of the Dubs, it would be dismissive of what the Kings have done, and what Mike Brown has done, and what they’re capable of as well.”

As JTA explains, the series is far from over as the Warriors still need to win at least one more game on the road – something they have struggled to do all season long. Though the injury to Kings All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox helps tip things in the Warriors’ favor, they still need to take care of business and approach this must-win Game 5 with a heightened sense of urgency.

“I just saw today that [De’Aaron Fox] may not be playing,” Toscano-Anderson continued. “So, with that type of blow to (the Kings) offense and the momentum the Warriors have right now — the experience most importantly that they have – [Game 5] is very winnable. Once you win [Game 5], you go back home and we all know what the Warriors look like at home. So, I mean a lot of these games have been must-win for the Warriors. I think [Game 5] — no matter what happens — is a must-win for either team. Whoever wins this next game, I think is going to win the series.”

Here are the rest of today’s stories:

In case you missed it from Golden State of Mind:

• De’Aaron Fox has a broken finger
• Draymond Green felt coming off the bench was ‘best for the team’ in Game 4 win vs. Kings
• Breaking down Draymond Green’s exceptional impact in Game 4
• Player grades: Game 4
• Warriors tie the series at two games a piece after thrilling 126-125 win over the Kings

Other Warriors News:

• Sources: Kings’ De’Aaron Fox hopeful for G5 despite broken finger (ESPN)
• Why Draymond Green felt he needed to earn his voice back with Jordan Poole and his Warriors teammates(The Athletic)
• Clippers, Warriors biggest foes aren’t on court, it’s the new CBA: Hollinger (The Athletic)
• Juan Toscano-Anderson: ‘Once a Warrior always a Warrior’ (95.7 The Game)
• The Warriors knew Harrison Barnes would miss because they’ve ‘seen that movie’ before (SB Nation)

NBA News:

• Sources: Houston Rockets to hire ex-Celtics coach Ime Udoka (ESPN)
• Jimmy Butler has 56 to lead Heat comeback, put Bucks on brink (ESPN)
• Memphis Grizzlies’ maturity problems extend well beyond Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks (The Athletic)
• Kawhi Leonard injury update: Clippers star ruled out for Game 5 vs. Suns with knee sprain (CBS Sports)
• Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen named 2022-23 Kia NBA Most Improved Player (NBA)