SAN FRANCISCO — The last time Kevon Looney missed a game due to lack of availability he was in the NBA’s health and safety protocols. It was in March 2021 when even the slightest hint of COVID-19 contact meant temporary quarantine. Looney sat in his hotel room during a game in Memphis, Tenn., while the team traced a possible outbreak and eventually deemed Looney in the clear.
He returned three nights later and hasn’t let himself sink onto the inactive list since: 29 straight games to close that season, all 82 the next two seasons, 61 consecutive appearances to open this season. Looney’s consecutive games played streak stretched to 254 in the regular season and 289 including playoffs — second in the NBA behind only Mikal Bridges.
But it’s over now. The sacred streak came to an unceremonious end this week. Looney was pulled from Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr’s rotation and didn’t play a single second against the Chicago Bulls or San Antonio Spurs. After the first DNP, he went through a strenuous postgame workout and, still a bit winded, sat down with The Athletic to discuss the close of a meaningful chapter of his career.
“I still get to carry it a little bit,” Looney said. “I was available. I can still say I didn’t get hurt. Knock on wood (knocks on his locker). I’m still taking care of my body. Still feeling good. Still available whenever they call on me again. I’ll be ready.”
Looney had major surgery on both of his hips in his first two seasons. He was barely able to get on the floor. The Warriors had essentially given up on him before his third season, declining his fourth-year option. But his body healed up enough for him to separate from the four centers in front of him on the depth chart — JaVale McGee, Zaza Pachulia, Damian Jones, Jordan Bell — and earn a large playoff role in his third season.
Injuries eventually caught back up to him. He had a neuropathic condition that impacted his hamstrings. He dealt with a gut issue that forced him to overhaul his diet. He needed core surgery because his mobility had been so compromised. He has credited hot yoga with helping save his career.
“People doubted whether I’d be able to play again,” Looney said. “So to be able to put together a streak like that was important to me. I take pride in being a tough guy, being there every night, being available.”
Looney made a goal before the 2021-22 season to appear in all 82 games. Rick Celebrini, Golden State’s director of sports medicine and performance, tried to convince him to take a few days off when the calendar was at its most condensed, but Looney pushed through and talked his way onto the court.
“I had a couple of games I was playing on one leg,” Looney said. “Rick was like, ‘I don’t know if you should go.’ But I’m right there. I’m about to make it. There were probably about six or seven games I probably shouldn’t have played.”
In the process, while the appearances kept piling up, Looney unexpectedly morphed into one of the Warriors’ most essential pieces. They drafted James Wiseman to replace him, but Looney kept leaping past Wiseman and back into his starting job for performance reasons, proving invaluable every time he was thought to be expendable.
Looney’s two favorite games during the streak came during the playoffs. The pinnacle was Game 6 of the Memphis series during the 2022 title run. He wasn’t in the starting lineup in Game 5. The coaching staff tried a rookie Jonathan Kuminga in a smaller lineup with Draymond Green at center. They were beaten 134-95.
On the flight back, acting coach Mike Brown (Kerr had COVID-19) met with Green and Stephen Curry. They suggested bringing Looney back to the starting lineup to deal with the bruising Steven Adams. In the series-clinching Game 6 win, Looney played 35 minutes and delivered 22 rebounds, inciting ‘Loooooooooon’ chants from the home crowd.
That included this late fourth-quarter double offensive…
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