Zaza Pachulia stepped back onto the court after the timeout, feeling incredibly nervous.
The moment he checked in, he noticed Link eyeing him with ill intent.
This didn't look good.
"Zach." Watching Pachulia, Link called out beside Randolph.
"What?"
"If you get switched onto Pachulia, make sure to show him what you've got."
"Oh, gladly." Randolph smiled and cracked his knuckles.
"Hey, how long has it been since we teamed up to win a game?"
"Been a while, I guess. After all, I'm old now, Link." Randolph shook his head. Ever since his season-ending injury two years ago, he felt that he hadn't played as a key contributor in a long time.
"Then let's do it again today."
"Sure. I'll follow your lead, boss."
This was the first time Randolph had called Link boss.
The game resumed, and the Warriors had no choice but to put Pachulia back in. Before the game, Kerr never could have imagined that he would need to make a substitution just because of an old, declining Randolph.
However, the difference between the Warriors and Grizzlies in the fourth quarter was far more than just Randolph.
On the Warriors' first possession after the timeout, their pace was noticeably slower.
Though Livingston had merely been replaced by Pachulia, the impact on the entire offensive rhythm was enormous.
Durant played this possession a little too hastily. The moment he got a bit of separation from Link through an off-ball screen, he caught the pass and immediately pulled up!
But that little bit of space was still within Link's defensive range. With one extension of his long arm, Link turned Durant's open jumper into a contested shot.
The Warriors' offense failed again. Their smooth, flowing teamwork from the third quarter had now all but vanished.
Durant was eager to