Warriors vs Nets: Santos Erupts for 31 Points in Career Night – Coach Kerr's Post-Game Comments Reveal the Biggest Surprise

Alright, alright, for those of you who caught the game this morning, do you remember the last time you saw a Warriors player suddenly just catch fire? Not Curry, not Klay, but that usually quiet, unassuming young fella you thought was just there to play defence – Santos! This Warriors vs Nets game yesterday had fans gasping from start to finish. This second-year man put on a show at the Barclays Center that he'll be writing home about for years. In the third quarter, he went on a scoring tear that was so relentless, even the home crowd couldn't help but applaud.

Santos' Career Night: 31 Points + Clutch Three – Kerr: "He Deserves a Property Here"

So, about the game: it started off tight, with the Nets really hanging in there. Everyone's focus was on Curry and how he'd use his three-pointers to break down their defence. But then, midway through the third quarter, the script flipped. In just a few minutes, Santos seemed to unlock some kind of god mode. Whether it was catch-and-shoot threes or driving to the hoop for floaters, everything he threw up went in. He finished with a massive 31 points. That's not just an NBA career high; what's even more staggering is that he racked up 14 of those in the third quarter alone, single-handedly pushing the lead into double digits. After the game, Coach Kerr wasn't his usual analytical self in the interview. Instead, he joked: "If I were the mayor of New York, I'd give him a flat right now, because a performance like that tonight deserves the keys to the city." It was a joke, sure, but it spoke volumes about how much Kerr's trust and affection for this young player has grown to a whole new level.

From Role Player to Go-To Guy: What We Witnessed in This Warriors vs Nets Game

After watching the game, a lot of fans are asking: "How did Santos suddenly explode like that?" Well, if you've been following the Warriors' run, you'd know his form has been steadily building up. Let's not forget, this Brazilian forward originally made his name in the league for his defence and hustle, but this season he's clearly added a lot more to his offensive game. Looking at his shot selection tonight, there was no forcing the issue; every attempt came from smart off-ball movement, finding the open spot within the flow of the offence.

For us die-hard basketball fans, this Warriors vs Nets game was basically a living, breathing guide on how to evolve from a role player into a closer. His release is quicker, and he's showing so much more confidence in demanding the ball and acting as the finisher when Curry gets trapped. That mental shift is arguably even more impressive than the 31 points. If you haven't seen his highlights from this game yet, I strongly suggest you check them out. Especially the plays in the fourth quarter where he was battling in the paint on defence – that was pure heart and soul on the court.

• Offensive Masterclass: Hit five three-pointers at a 55% clip, and also knocked down a couple of high-difficulty turnaround fadeaways – weapons he's rarely shown before.
• Defensive Stalwart: While his offence stole the headlines, the charging fouls he drew and the defensive rebounds he secured were crucial to holding off the Nets' comeback attempts.
• Chemistry in Action: Curry summed it up after the game: "When you see a teammate with the hot hand, you just get him the ball and get out of the way." That kind of team basketball is what makes the Warriors truly terrifying.

Post-Game Review: How Important Was This Win for the Warriors?

With this win over the Nets, the Warriors have solidified their standing a bit more. Of course, in any decent post-game review, you can't just focus on the victory. This game also exposed some lapses in the Warriors' defensive focus during second-unit rotations. There were moments when the lead was cut down to just three points with the starters resting. Thankfully, Santos and the other bench players held their nerve to prevent a complete collapse.

But there's no denying that the biggest takeaway from this Warriors vs Nets game was finding a reliable third scoring option. People always talk about the 'Splash Brothers', but Santos' emergence this season makes it so much harder for opponents to set their defence. When Curry and Santos are both on the floor, who do you double? That question is going to become a nightmare for teams facing the Warriors. All I can say after watching this one is that this young man has a limitless future ahead of him. And because of him, the Warriors' road this season might just stretch a whole lot further.