SANTA CRUZ — With 11 games remaining in the regular season, including six on their home court, the Santa Cruz Warriors are showing determination in their Santa Cruz Warriors playoff push by staging a comeback against the Birmingham Squadron. On Wednesday night at KP Arena, the Warriors overcame a 16-point halftime deficit with a 70-point surge in the second half, ultimately winning 121-117 in front of 2,476 fans.
Guard Taevion Kinsey led the charge with a team-high 27 points in his second game back following his participation with Team USA at the FIBA Men’s World Cup Qualifying. This win propelled the Warriors (13-12) up to eighth place in the Western Conference standings, putting them in a critical position to qualify for the postseason.
Key Performances Fuel Second-Half Surge
Charles Bassey, a center who recently signed two 10-day contracts with the Philadelphia 76ers, continued his dominant play for Santa Cruz. Earning his ninth consecutive double-double late in the third quarter, Bassey finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds, anchoring the Warriors’ inside presence.
“I’m just trying to win the game,”
Bassey said of his double-double streak.
“We’ve come up short a couple of games. So I’m just trying to do anything I can to get a win every game.”
Guard Chance McMillian contributed significantly with 21 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, while center Marques Bolden added 17 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks. Bolden also secured the team’s lead in the final moments by sinking one of two crucial free throws with 1:57 left.
Franco Miller Jr. scored 10 points and gathered five rebounds during his first game since competing for The Bahamas in World Cup Qualifying, adding valuable depth to the Warriors’ backcourt rotation.
Coaching Insight on Team Dynamics and Defensive Turnaround
Head coach Lainn Wilson, in his debut season at the helm, noted the challenges and excitement brought by reintegrating players returning from international duty. He highlighted the ongoing adjustments among the roster and the players’ dedication to the team’s goals.
“We have some guys we brought back into the fold from international duty,”
Wilson observed.
“It’s a lot of still adapting and still getting used to each other. … I think you saw it there towards the end, you can see the passion and the excitement from our guys, they really care about it.
That’s part of why they’ve been such a great group to work with, and part of why I get frustrated at times. You want it for them so badly. And, tonight, to see them battle back and put it away down the stretch was a lot of fun to watch.”
Wilson emphasized defense as the catalyst for the comeback, explaining that the team’s ability to make stops and push the pace in transition led to improved offensive opportunities.
“I think it started more with our defense,”
he said.
“We finally just got more stops and finally got into the open floor. And then guys did a much better job finding the second side. Once we could get initial action and make them have to guard two, three more actions, we started to get a lot more breakdowns. That kinda opened up the rim for us.”
Players Returning from Injury and International Duty Bolster Team Outlook
The Warriors are optimistic about their upcoming games with key players like Taevion Kinsey, Trey Galloway—who recently returned from a knee injury—and Franco Miller Jr. now back in the lineup. Guard Nate Williams, who signed a two-way contract with Golden State on February 17, is expected to contribute significantly when available. Williams has already participated in three games for the affiliate, averaging 21.7 points and nearly 29 minutes per game.
Despite making an impressive 16 three-pointers, Santa Cruz shot a middling 44% from the field but dominated the rebounding battle 55-40, including 35 defensive boards, which played a vital role in securing the victory.
Strong Opposition Performance Despite Losing Effort
Birmingham‘s Jaden Springer led all scorers with 28 points and added four assists, but the Eastern Conference team (10-18) couldn’t hold their lead after halftime. Several key contributors off Birmingham’s bench made notable impacts: Christian Shumate posted 18 points and seven rebounds, Josh Oduro scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds before signing a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans earlier the same day, Trey Alexander added 17 points and six rebounds, D.J. Carton contributed 14 points, and Hunter Dickinson put up 12 points as a two-way center.
Upcoming Games Crucial for Playoff Aspirations
The Warriors return home to face the third-place South Bay Lakers twice this week, with games scheduled Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m., both broadcasts airing on NBC Sports Bay Area. These matches are pivotal as Santa Cruz aims to climb further into the Western Conference playoff spots.
“Every team wants to make the playoffs,”
said Charles Bassey.
“We just got to get every win we can.”
Game Recap and Next Steps
The Santa Cruz Warriors’ 121-117 victory over the Birmingham Squadron illustrates the team’s resilience and potential as they push toward postseason play. Their ability to overcome early deficits, combined with the return of key players and a strengthening defense, suggests the Warriors are positioning themselves as a threatening playoff contender. With a grueling schedule ahead, maintaining momentum and capitalizing on home-court advantage will be essential to securing one of the top eight Western Conference spots and making a deep run in the NBA G League playoffs.
