In today’s Dub Hub:

• NBA announces Steph Curry is among three finalists for Clutch Player of the Year
• Spurs a ‘potential team to watch’ for Warriors’ guard Chris Paul, according to NBA Insider Marc Stein
• Klay Thompson and the Warriors ‘took note’ of the four-year, $138 million contract extension given to Boston’s Jrue Holiday

Golden State Warriors’ point guard Stephen Curry was named a finalist for this season’s Clutch Player of the Year award. On Sunday, the NBA announced Curry, alongside the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Chicago Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan, as the three finalists vying to become the second recipient of the award since it was introduced last season.

The Warriors’ superstar proved he still remains one of the best closers in the game. He led the league with 189 points in clutch situations and finished with an NBA-high seven go-ahead field goals in the final minute of the fourth quarter or overtime this season.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Monday, April 22nd:

Warriors News:

Steph Curry among three finalists for Clutch Player of the Year

The NBA playoffs are here … and so is my around-the-league latest Intel | The Stein Line

“A potential team to watch, should Paul and the Warriors part ways, is San Antonio, Among the early personnel rumbles in circulation: The Spurs could emerge as a Paul suitor if they decide to pursue some veteran know-how on a short-term contract basis to furnish presumptive Rookie of the Year winner Victor Wembanyama with more seasoned help in Year 2.”

Looney looking to elevate offensive game next season | NBC Sports Bay Area

Having played alongside Hall of Fame sharpshooters Steph Curry and Klay Thompson for so many years, Looney might be looking to take a page out of their book next season, and has a goal in mind should he begin pulling up from beyond the arc.

“Yeah, yeah. I can make a three. Yeah,” Looney said when asked if he plans to attempt for 3-pointers.

“When I look around the league, for a big, if I can shoot 35, 36 percent, I think that’s serviceable for all the other stuff I bring to the court. So, that’s probably about the goal right there.”

NBA Rumors: Klay Thompson, Warriors ‘Took Note’ of Jrue Holiday’s $135M Contract | Bleacher Report

Five-time All-Star shooting guard Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors paid close attention to Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday’s recent contract extension, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe.

On the latest edition of The Lowe Post, Lowe revealed that both Thompson and the Warriors “took note” of Holiday’s four-year, $135 million extension that he signed with the Celtics on April 10 (13:40 mark).

Hawks hire Warriors’ front office member Onsi Saleh as their assistant general manager

NBA News:

LA Clippers pledged to be ready for Game 1 without Kawhi Leonard — then proved it | The Athletic

A good start to the series was imperative because Kawhi Leonard did not play in Game 1. Leonard was listed as questionable heading into Sunday’s game and, according to the team, is progressing daily to resolve right knee inflammation that kept the two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player out since he last played on March 31. The team’s final four-game win streak of the regular season, a stretch that included comeback wins against the Denver Nuggets and Cavaliers, readied the Clippers to play without him.

“We prepared like he was going to play obviously,” the Mavericks’ MVP finalist Luka Dončić said. “But that should not change our mentality. Their mentality was next-man up, and they did very well, very well. We just got to stay focused 48 minutes. It’s the playoffs so we got to stay focused 48 minutes.”

No plans to shut down Joel Embiid after latest injury scare | ESPN

Following a second brief injury scare involving superstar center Joel Embiid in just over a week, Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse said after Saturday night’s 111-104 Game 1 loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden that there are no plans to shut down the reigning MVP.

“He really is a warrior, and he’s battling,” Nurse said of Embiid. “I think he absolutely wants to play.”

Embiid left the game for the final 2:37 of the first half after a remarkable play that saw him throw down a ridiculous one-handed dunk after passing the ball to himself off the backboard.

NBA’s complete list of finalists for end of season awards

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Mike Dunleavy Jr. says there’s no mandate to get under the luxury tax for now

Dunleavy reflected on the Warriors’ season and discussed his initial thoughts on the upcoming offseason, which includes the team’s growing luxury tax situation.

Although he says there is no directive from owner Joe Lacob to get under the luxury tax for now, Dunleavy would like the team to be “prudent” in their spending, considering they just paid $400 million for a non-playoff team.