For a role player that never complained about his shots or playing time, Golden State’s Kevon Looney admitted something else bothered him about his seven-year NBA career.
“People were putting the injury label on me,” Looney told NBA.com. “I take pride in being a tough guy and doing all the dirty work. So, to be a guy that was not healthy messed with my mentals.”
That reality did not mess with Looney’s determination, though. After spending his first six NBA seasons sparking concerns about his long-term health, Looney stayed durable throughout the 2024-25 campaign. He became one of five NBA players to appear in all 82 regular-season games, joining Phoenix’s Mikal Bridges, Dallas’ Dwight Powell, Washington’s Deni Avdija and Detroit’s Saddiq Bey on that list.
The Warriors host the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals on Wednesday (9 ET, TNT), and Golden State contends it has advanced this far for the first time in three years for reasons beyond Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Thompson argued, “we would not be where we’re at without Kevon Looney.”
For literally every game — which now includes another 11 from the postseason run — Looney has fulfilled his expected role as a dependable defender, rebounder and screen setter, either as a starter or reserve. The Warriors valued Looney’s availability and dependability so much that they presented him with the game ball following their final regular-season game. Warriors coach Steve Kerr even listed Looney’s durability as one of the team’s season highlights along with Curry overtaking Reggie Miller for the NBA’s all-time 3-point record and Thompson’s return following a 2 ½ year absence.
“It’s a huge deal for ‘Loon,’ and it’s a huge deal for me,” Kerr said. “It’s always an incredible badge of honor for a player to play 82 games and as a coach to be able to rely on somebody 82 times. It’s amazing, particularly for it to be ‘Loon’ given what he has been through in his career.”
Ironically, Looney never missed a game both when he starred four years as a high school prospect (Hamilton High in Milwaukee) and one year as a college standout (UCLA). Shortly after the Warriors selected Looney at No. 30 in the 2024 NBA Draft, however, Looney spent more time in the trainer’s room than on the court.
He played in only five games his rookie season. Before the season even started, Looney had surgery to treat a torn labrum in his right hip. Just after the playoffs began, Looney had surgery to treat a torn labrum in his other hip. Looney’s second season did not fare much better. Beyond his 20 healthy scratches and three appearances on the inactive roster, Looney also missed six regular-season games and 12 playoff appearances because of a strained left hip.
Unlike those in his draft class, Looney did not face pressure to play immediately because of the Warriors’ sturdy championship foundation. And unlike those in his draft class, Looney lacked the opportunity initially to prove he belonged in the NBA.
“I always had faith that I could get back. But I’d always get really close and then something freakish would happen,” Looney said. “I always had trust in the training staff and myself. But I don’t know if everyone had faith in me.”
Looney said even some of his close friends remained skeptical about his health. More importantly, though, Looney credited his parents as well as the Warriors’ players, coaches and front office staff for offering unwavering support. Still, Warriors general manager Bob Myers conceded that Looney’s early injuries factored in “a little bit” when the team declined to exercise his fourth-year option before the 2024-18 season, which made him an unrestricted free agent the following summer.
“We weren’t looking at him as if we’re done with him,” Myers told NBA.com. “We’re thinking, ‘Let’s see what this year brings and have a chance to re-sign him.’”
The Warriors’ gamble worked both with trimming their luxury tax bill and protecting themselves from Looney’s uncertain health. After averaging career highs in points (4.0), shooting percentage (58.0%), rebounds (3.3), minutes (13.8) and games played (66), Looney returned on a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal. Looney then accepted a three-year, $15 million deal the following summer, after posting new career-highs in 2024-19 in points (6.3), shooting percentage (62.5%), rebounds (5.2), minutes (18.5) and games played (80).
By then, Looney sensed he no longer would spend much time in the trainer’s room. Wrong. Looney missed the entire 2025 preseason after straining his right hamstring. He then played in only 20 regular-season games amid overlapping issues with neuropathy (20 games), left abdominal soreness (18) and left hip soreness (six).
Did these developments ever affect Looney’s confidence that he could ever stay out of the trainer’s room and doctor’s offices?
“I always had faith that I could get healthy,” Looney said. “That’s something that I can control. My diet, my routine and learning my body, those are all things I can control.
