Who Is Pat Spencer? Lacrosse Star Shines in Warriors’ Playoff Rotation

With injuries piling up for the Golden State Warriors, few fans expected Pat Spencer to be part of the playoff conversation. But in Game 2 against the Houston Rockets, as Jimmy Butler and Brandin Podziemski went down, the Warriors found themselves turning to one of the most unlikely players in recent NBA history.

Spencer may not be a household name on the basketball court—but his story is one of the most remarkable journeys in professional sports today. From college lacrosse dominance to sharing the backcourt with Stephen Curry, here’s how Pat Spencer went from scoring goals to scoring buckets.

From Lacrosse Legend to the NBA

Pat Spencer, now 28 years old, stands 6-foot-3 and is best known—not for basketball—but for being one of the greatest college lacrosse players in recent memory. During his time at Loyola University Maryland, Spencer was a four-time All-American and in 2019, he won the Tewaaraton Award—the lacrosse equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.

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Though basketball took a back seat during his college years, Spencer always had game. He played basketball at The Boys’ Latin School in Maryland, averaging 14.3 points per game as a senior. After completing his lacrosse eligibility, he used his final year of NCAA eligibility to switch sports and joined Northwestern University’s basketball team for the 2019–20 season. There, he held his own, averaging 10.4 points per game in Big Ten competition.

Spencer’s path to the NBA was anything but traditional. He played in the G League, worked on his game, and eventually earned a two-way contract with the Warriors. On March 4, Golden State converted that to a standard contract, making him eligible for the playoff roster—a move that’s already paying off during this injury-plagued postseason.

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Spencer’s Stats, Skills, and Unexpected Role in the Playoffs

Before Game 2, Spencer had appeared in 45 NBA games and 55 G League games, averaging 2.3 points and 1.2 assists per game in limited minutes. While his three-point shooting (just 20%) and size haven’t made him a primary scoring option, he’s earned praise for his passing, hustle, and basketball IQ.

In a key moment late in the regular season, Spencer showed flashes of promise. Against the Phoenix Suns, he scored 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting—including 2-of-3 from deep—giving the Warriors a much-needed spark off the bench.

Now, with both Butler and Podziemski injured, Spencer may be asked to do more than anyone ever expected—especially in a tight playoff series. His quick decisions, solid fundamentals, and elite athleticism (honed from years on the lacrosse field) are proving to be a surprising asset for Steve Kerr’s rotation.

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Though still a work in progress, Pat Spencer’s journey is already one of the most inspiring in modern sports—a reminder that hard work, versatility, and resilience can take you to the biggest stage in the game.