Brandon Rush, in rebound season, helps Golden State Warriors’ run toward NBA title repeat

The Golden State Warriors finished six games better this season than a year ago and set an NBA record for victories in the process.

Reserve wing Brandon Rush improved at even a greater rate.

As the final seconds of the Warriors’ 125-104 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies ticked away Wednesday night, he shared the joy of an NBA-record 73rd victory. Rush, the former Kansas standout, entered the game in the fourth quarter, played the final 4 minutes and scored the final Golden State basket, appropriately a three-pointer on a night when the league’s best shooting team made 20 from beyond the arc.

“Definitely feels good to be a part of this,” Rush said.

Rush chipped in 4.2 points per game and converted 41 percent of his three-pointers in 72 games for a team that is favored to win its second straight NBA championship.

Statistically, it’s not Rush’s most productive season. He averaged 9.1 points per game across his first four NBA seasons, the first three with Indiana.

But this shapes up as his most satisfying, coming off a season in which he played just 7 minutes in the playoffs. Rush won a ring, joining Mario Chalmers and Clyde Lovellette as Kansas players to win a NCAA and a NBA title. But if Golden State repeats, this championship will mean a little more.

“Coming back this year and being a part of this group that broke the record (with) 73 wins, it’s an amazing feeling,” Rush said. “I’ve gotten the chance to play more than I did last year, which is great after the injury I had.”

The injury, a torn ACL, changed the arc of Rush’s career. He was going in for a dunk in a November 2012 game and landed awkwardly on his left knee, ending his season. Rush had torn his right knee during an offseason workout at Kansas, assuring the return of his junior season in 2007.

The 2012 injury ended what appeared to be a promising year, his first in a Warriors’ uniform, and he wasn’t the same player upon his return.

Rush was traded to Utah in a deal to clear cap space for Andre Iguodala. Rush re-signed with the Warriors before the 2014-15 season and scored 30 points in 33 games.

“I wasn’t mentally ready last year,” Rush said. “I was kind of heavy, so I came into this year’s training game in shape, back at my playing weight before the injury and focused on my body. I had to get my body and mind ready.”

Still, there were no guarantees of anything more than spot playing time for Rush in 2014-15. The Warriors had molded into the NBA’s top team, led by Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes. They rolled to a club record 67 victories, setting up the NBA title.

But when Barnes went down this season because of an ankle sprain, Rush got the call, and he responded. He started 22 consecutive games and averaged 6.9 points over 22 minutes per game, making nearly half of his three-pointers.

Rush, 30, who is winding down the second of a two-year deal with the Warriors, wants to keep playing. He’s the youngest of the three brothers who dominated the Kansas City scene at Pembroke Hill and on the AAU circuit in their teens, and is the last to play professionally. Kareem finished his seven-year NBA career in 2010 and spent a couple more seasons in minor-league basketball. JaRon, the oldest, never made it to the NBA.

His play this season only helps Rush’s cause.

“Thrilled for Brandon,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “He had a rough season a year ago, still recovering from the horrible knee injury.

“This year when Harrison got hurt, he was ready. He kind of regained his confidence. He’s been really key for us. To see his success, the entire staff is happy for him.”

After Wednesday’s victory, Rush reveled in the team accomplishment and marveled at Curry, who poured in 46 points with 10 three-pointers. That gave Curry 402 triples on the season, obliterating the NBA record he set last season, when he made 286.

“To see a guy like that, come down shoot from 30 feet, shoot a half-court shot, it’s just amazing,” Rush said. “He’s the most confident shooter I’ve ever seen. It’s at an all-time high.”

Confidence is also running high for Rush.

“It gave me a chance to show I could still play in the NBA,” Rush said.

This story was originally published April 14, 2016 at 1:42 PM.