What to Expect from Golden State in the Upcoming 25-26 NBA Play-In Tournament
This year marks the third successive season that the Golden State Warriors have found themselves in the play-in tournament. The format originated in 2021, and Steve Kerr’s team has made it a habit to take the tough way into the playoffs. In this go-around, the Warriors couldn’t have put themselves in a worse situation. For about a week, they’ve been locked into the 10th spot in the Western Conference. They’ll need to win two away games in a row to earn the eighth seed and book a date with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of this year’s playoffs. However, given the team’s circumstances, fans may need to pump their breaks on having high hopes.
The team entered tonight’s last regular-season game at 37-44, and ironically enough, they played the same team they’ll likely face off in the play-in. Golden State may play against the Los Angeles Clippers on back-to-back contests, the latter of which will send one team home for the summer. They may also have to travel to Portland, should the Clippers win tonight and the Blazers lose to the Kings. In either situation, Golden State will be away from home, where they are 15-25. In contrast, they sit at three games above .500 when playing inside Chase Center, which stands as proof of their clear road struggles.
If there’s a positive to note, the Warriors enter the two-stage tournament in decent health. Apart from the devastating and gruesome season-ending injuries to Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, most other top players should aid the push to a playoff berth. Though they’ve only won once in four games since his return, the Warriors will find strength in the return of their leader, Stephen Curry. What’s even more encouraging is that the superstar guard seems able to put on a Superman-esque performance, despite missing about two months with his runner’s knee issue. More injuries linger in this plagued campaign, but the Warriors are ready to leave it all on the court in a win-or-go-home scenario.
Lastly, the form with which squads enter the playoffs is of high importance. To the dismay of their competitors, the Trail Blazers have been battle-tested. They’ve recently taken care of the teams below them and have played two top-three seeds close. The Clippers, on the other hand, have lost five out of their last six contests, with Kawhi Leonard showing by far the most consistency. As far as the Warriors are concerned, they probably want to see Los Angeles in their first matchup, with the hopes of winning and traveling to the loser of Suns vs. Blazers. Even if they manage to beat the odds and clinch the eighth seed, they don’t stand a realistic chance against the defending champions. For their players’ health and their fans' sake, the season should end as quickly as possible, and that end doesn’t seem far away at all.
