Brandin Podziemski, Colby Jones Highlight Rookie Play-In Matchups

The Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings face each other in the NBA Play-In Tournament on Tuesday.

The regular season has concluded, and the Play-In matchups are set.

In the West, we'll be looking at a first-round rematch and seven-game series of a year ago in the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings. On the year, it was as neck-and-neck of a result as their placing in the conference has been, with each teams splitting two games in the season series with three games being decided by just one point.

Both of these teams boast rookies who have found some play time on the floor this season, with Golden State assuredly holding the upper hand with Brandin Podziemski, who has been an anchor for them offensively and with consistency.

As for Sacramento, they've been dealt some difficult cards in recent weeks with injuries to Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter, leaving room for others to come in and make a name for themselves. One of those names has been sophomore Keon Ellis, who's claimed a starting role and embraced scoring responsibilities fairly well.

But rookie Colby Jones might also be getting a smidge of play time if head coach Mike Brown calls his number. It must be situational, as Jones has played in just 30 games this year while raking in 6.4 minutes for 2.1 points on average, but if things get stagnant and the Kings are in need of new legs, he may get some on-court time in the absence of the team's injured starters.

Poziemski will be relied upon regardless of the Warriors' roster status, as he's consistenly seen upwards of 25- to 30-plus minutes each night since November, offering 9.2 points on 45.4% shooting and 3.7 assists in his 74 games played.

He could also get the starting nod, though, with Gary Payton II and Stephen Curry being listed as game-time decisions. Seems highly unlikely for either of these integral pieces to be sidelined in the team's biggest game of the season, but if either of them are, Podziemski will see his responsibilities vastly increase.

The winner of Kings-Warriors will go onto play the loser of the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers, who play in the slot before them on TNT.

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