Matt Barnes was a go-getter of the highest order. Although he was drafted in the second round of the 2002 draft, he wouldn't get his shot in the big leagues until next year when he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. He never looked back, establishing himself as someone who would do anything to help his team win, especially on defense.
In search of an NBA title, he signed with the Golden State Warriors to fill a small forward need after superstar Kevin Durant went down with a knee injury. He played well enough to help the Warriors hold the fort until Durant returned.
But unfortunately for Barnes, he suffered a severe ankle sprain before the regular season ended, and by the time the playoffs were in full swing, he was relegated to a bit player, playing just 5.1 minutes per game during the Warriors' run towards the 2017 title.
With Stephen Curry and Durant leading the way, and Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, David West, and Zaza Pachulia providing ample support, the Warriors ran amok in the West, sweeping every opponent to claim the Western Conference title. They lost only once in that title run.
Barnes, though, had minimal impact, playing only 5.1 minutes a game, averaging 0.8 points and 0.8 rebounds.
"I didn't really play in the playoffs, and when I did, it was kind of messed up. It was scrub-minute type thing," he said .
With the Warriors clicking on all cylinders, head coach Steve Kerr stuck with his superstars, leaving Barnes outside of the rotation. As a veteran, Barnes had no issue with that, but at the same time, his competitive side felt he could have done more to earn that ring.
"I've always been someone that had to earn and scratch and claw every step of my career. So I just kind of felt like I was a spectator, you know, to be on the side for one of the greatest teams," Barnes stated. "I wasn't out there because if I was healthy, I would have been out there helping guard Kawhi and all these guys on each level that we would have went through through the playoffs, and I just didn't get that opportunity."
"I mean, obviously, I understood the situation. By the time I felt good, we're in the Western Conference Finals and we're undefeated. So I know that you don't really mess up a rotation for a rotational player, which I was at that time."
Despite not getting minutes, Barnes never pouted on the bench. Instead, he did his best to support his teammates however he could, whether that was cheering them on from the bench or making sure they kept their confidence when the shots weren't falling.
But what he remembered most from that run was having his twins with him.
"The twins were at practice. The twins were on the plane with us. The twins were in the hotel with us. Twins are kicking it and hanging out with the guys and shooting with Steph and KD," Barnes shared.
"And if you watch, it was funny, like, during the championship ceremony when we're all on the stage at the arena after we won, like, the twins are in there trying to get the championship trophy from Steph and the MVP trophy from KD and take pictures with the s–t. So they're like seven or eight years old just living a dream, bro," he added.
"So that was my favorite part. I got them championship rings and everything."
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Oct 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
