After landing in the Bay Area following an offseason trade, Kelly Oubre Jr.’s time with the Golden State Warriors got off to a slow start. Through the first 12 games of the season, Oubre Jr. was averaging 11.1 points on 35.0% shooting from the field with 5.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.
Adding to his low numbers, the 25-year-old wing was shooting a career-low 19.7% from beyond the arc. However, Oubre Jr. showed signs of breaking out of his slump during Monday night’s contest against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Oubre Jr. helped push a 19 point Golden State comeback against the defending champs with a season-high 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field.
Via @gswchris on Twitter:
LMAO at Kelly Oubre flexing on Kuzma pic.twitter.com/j2DJqGT9fT
— Chris Montano (@gswchris) January 19, 2021
Via @warriors on Twitter:
DANCING through the lane
📺 @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/3iiUCeRZEO
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 19, 2021
During his first 20-plus point performance of the young season, the Kansas product knocked down a pair of triples on eight attempts from beyond the arc. Following one of his 3-pointers, Oubre Jr. was called for a technical foul for blowing a kiss at Montrezl Harrell. That is not a typo.
Via @NBCSWarriors on Twitter:
Oubre got a tech for blowing a kiss 🤔pic.twitter.com/OpGe4yCJsI
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) January 19, 2021
Along with his offensive effort, Oubre Jr. was everywhere on the defensive end of the floor. Oubre Jr. recorded two blocks and two steals in 37 minutes against the Lakers.
Pure hustle from @KELLYOUBREJR 💪
📺 @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/Ju6SdXYDc6
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 19, 2021
Late in the game, Oubre Jr.’s aggressive defense helped force a turnover on an inbound pass from LeBron James. The next possession, Oubre Jr. drove to the bucket for a layup that tied the game for the first time in the fourth quarter.
Via @ElKellyOubre on Twitter:
Último cuarto, 2 abajo y hace ese robo y le tira ese gesto en la cara a Lebron.
Lo amo, lo amas, lo amamos. pic.twitter.com/v6k9W2BMlj— El Kelly Oubre 💙💛 (7-6) (@ElKellyOubre) January 19, 2021
Oubre Jr. will have the chance to build on his season-high performance with a tilt against the San Antonio Spurs at Chase Center on Wednesday.
