What Can Warriors Fans Take Away From the 26-27 Campaign Schedule Release?
Just a few days ago, the NBA released each team’s 82-game schedule for the 2026-2027 season. With no recent news since the re-signings of a few veterans, it’s certainly worth discussing what effects the game distribution will have on the team from the Bay. Golden State will remain home for their three pre-season contests against the Lakers, Kings, and Trail Blazers. Once that 10-day stretch concludes, business officially begins with the Warriors visiting Luka Doncic and the Lakers for their opener on October 21st. This primetime competition between two marquee franchises will be televised on ESPN, marking the first of 28 Warriors games on TV in 2026-2027. Golden State will then quickly return home to face the Grizzlies before departing for their first small road trip. After setting the scene for what this season’s early days will look like, it’s time to take a look at some specifics for the upcoming campaign.
Something that many viewers, including myself, had our eyes on is the number of back-to-backs the seven-time Larry O’Brien winners would have. The answer to that question is 15, a number that general manager Mike Dunleavy and his staff can’t possibly find pleasure in. For the second year in a row, Golden State ranks above the league average in this category, which, given this group’s age, hurts them more than most other teams. In addition, they will travel an estimated 46,000 miles across all games, which once again puts them above the average amount teams will travel. This squad has multiple players who will be forced out of action during these back-to-backs, either as a physical precaution or due to an actual injury. As if all this wasn’t enough, Steve Kerr will have no time to settle in with rotations, as four of those 15 consecutive games will happen within the first 16 contests of the season.
On the bright side, the NBA world will get to witness a lot of Dubs basketball in 2026 and 2027. Depending on how he deals with his upcoming extension eligibility, this could be the last dose of Stephen Curry we see before he retires. I believe commissioner Adam Silver took that into account. Apart from their first competition, the Warriors will be featured nationally on half of their NBA Cup games, as well as a Christmas Day special against the Denver Nuggets. Other opponents in televised fixtures include the reigning NBA Champions, the New York Knicks, as well as the runners-up, the San Antonio Spurs, and the 2025 ring-holders, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Lastly, all four of their tilts against the Lakers will be under the national spotlight, split almost evenly between ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Prime Video. So fans, get your popcorn and your subscriptions ready, because this 2026-2027 NBA schedule has many fingerprints from the yellow and gold.
