Warriors' Shaun Livingston looking to get into rhythm ahead of playoffs

OAKLAND - Shaun Livingston knows exactly what he needs at this point in the season.

The 32-year-old, who averages only 15.6 minutes a game, said it’s imperative for him to establish some sort of rhythm now, with only 14 games left in the regular season, before what’s likely going to be a long playoff push for the Warriors.

“You just want to see some shots go in just so you have that confidence going into the playoffs,” Livingston said.

Livingston sure picked the right game to make that happen.

With the Warriors missing three starters against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday in Stephen Curry (tweaked right ankle), Klay Thompson (fractured right thumb) and Draymond Green (right shoulder soreness), Livingston provided a much-needed spark for the Warriors in their 117-106 win.

Livingston had 11 points in the first half on five-for-five shooting and four rebounds in just under 12 minutes. Aside from Kevin Durant, he was the only other Warrior to enter halftime in double figures.

“I think Shaun knows who he is,” Durant said. “Obviously, you love to see the ball go through the basket. He came out tonight and set the tone for us in the second unit, making shots, taking advantage of the mismatch. We all know what he can do, what he does out there. And when he gets those shots and the opportunity, we all believe that they’re going to go down. But to see them go in and play with a nice flow like he did tonight, I’m sure it felt great.”

Livingston finished with 13 points on six-for-eight shooting, his second-highest scoring performance of the season (He had 16 points against Orlando on Nov. 13). It was the first time that Livingston scored in double figures since Jan. 8, when he had 11 points in a game against the Denver Nuggets.

Livingston is in his 13th season in the NBA and has made the playoffs in five of them. And he knows that in order for him to be effective, he needs to have the proper confidence heading into the postseason.

With both of the Splash Brothers out, he took it upon himself to seize that opportunity Thursday.

“When you’re playing spot minutes, it’s harder to hit those shots,” Livingston said. “But if you’re getting volume shots, now it’s a lot easier to get a rhythm. Once our guys get back, it’s going to be back to the same role, so you want to make sure you’re efficient on the court.”

Livingston said that his performance against the Lakers will help him when he returns to playing fewer minutes and getting fewer touches.

“Absolutely, because it’s confidence,” Livingston said. “Seeing the ball go in during the game, getting to your spots, getting spot-up shots. You have that rhythm and you have that confidence in yourself. And everybody else has that confidence in you too, more importantly. They expect you to make those shots.”

Livingston is averaging 5.2 points on 49.6 percent shooting, two assists and 1.8 rebounds this season. He said he’s laughed off any criticism that he’s heard about himself or any of his other veteran teammates as meaningless chatter.

“They just want their fantasy teams to do well,” Livingston said. “I’m probably not on a lot of them, but it’s just fantasy talk, man. At the end of the day, we’re all pros. We know how to approach this game.”

That’s always been abundantly clear to his teammates and, against the Lakers, he gave himself that much-needed reminder.

“Even if it’s just two shots, I just want to see the ball go in the hole,” Livingston said. “That gives me the confidence to know I can make shots when I’m called upon in a playoff type of situation.”