Undrafted Pat Spencer Carries Warriors Past Cavs

Pat Spencer, an undrafted third‑year guard, scored 19 points and handed out seven assists to lift Golden State to a 99-94 road win at Cleveland with several stars sidelined (Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Al Horford). Spencer exploded for 12 points and two assists in the final 8:06 — including back‑to‑back threes that turned an 82-77 edge into 88-77 — and iced the game from the line. His recent surge (17.3 points and 5.7 assists over three games) matters because the Warriors need dependable depth while key players recover. Merlin senses that Spencer’s unusual journey from college lacrosse to the NBA is paying off at a perfect time. He’s playing with poise and could buy Golden State crucial margin, but tougher defensive tests will reveal if this is a lasting role or a hot streak. A trip to Chicago is the next proving ground.