Golden State Warriors: From Momentum to Mayhem – Can They Avoid the Play-In?
The Golden State Warriors’ season has been a rollercoaster ride filled with highs and lows. After a five-week stretch of dominance, where they seemed to have finally put their early-season struggles behind them, they have suddenly found themselves in a downward spiral. An 11-day slump has erased much of their progress, putting them in danger of another grueling trip through the NBA’s play-in tournament.
With time running out in the regular season, the Warriors need to address their weaknesses and regain their winning form before it’s too late. Otherwise, they’ll face an uphill battle to make a deep playoff run—if they make it at all.
The Great Surge: A Glimpse of Championship Form
For nearly five weeks, the Warriors looked like a team capable of making serious noise in the Western Conference. Their ball movement, defense, and three-point shooting were reminiscent of their championship years. Stephen Curry was firing on all cylinders, Klay Thompson found his rhythm, and Draymond Green provided his trademark defensive leadership.
The return of veteran Chris Paul from injury gave the second unit much-needed stability, while Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski emerged as reliable contributors. The team’s spacing improved, turnovers were reduced, and the defensive intensity was consistent.
During this stretch, they took down several elite teams, proving that they still had the ability to compete at the highest level. Many believed they had finally turned the corner after a season filled with inconsistency.
The Collapse: What Went Wrong?
Just as quickly as they had surged, the Warriors found themselves unraveling. In an 11-day span, they suffered multiple frustrating losses, often against teams they should have beaten. The very issues that plagued them earlier in the season resurfaced, leaving them scrambling for answers.
1. Inconsistent Defense
At their peak, the Warriors thrived on suffocating defense and smart rotations. But during this recent slump, their defensive identity has crumbled. Opponents are finding easy lanes to the basket, and the perimeter defense has been porous, allowing an alarming number of open three-pointers.
Draymond Green, once the heart and soul of their defense, has struggled to maintain his usual dominance. While his leadership remains invaluable, his inability to single-handedly anchor the defense has left the Warriors vulnerable.
2. Struggles in the Clutch
Golden State’s late-game execution has been questionable at best. They’ve let winnable games slip away due to poor shot selection, unforced errors, and a lack of composure in crunch time.
Curry, though still an offensive juggernaut, has often been left carrying too much of the scoring load in late-game situations. Klay Thompson’s shooting has been inconsistent, and Andrew Wiggins has failed to provide the secondary scoring punch the team desperately needs.
3. Bench Production Decline
While the Warriors’ bench was a strength during their five-week surge, it has become unreliable again. Chris Paul’s presence has helped stabilize the second unit, but some of the younger players have struggled with consistency. Kuminga, who was dominant for weeks, has cooled off, and Moses Moody’s impact has been sporadic.
When the Warriors’ starters rest, the bench has failed to hold leads, allowing opposing teams to swing momentum back in their favor.
4. Offensive Stagnation
The Warriors’ offense has often looked stagnant, relying too heavily on Curry to bail them out with miraculous shots. Their trademark ball movement has disappeared at times, leading to forced isolations and rushed attempts.
Steve Kerr’s system thrives when players move without the ball and make quick decisions. However, during this slump, they’ve fallen into the trap of over-dribbling and settling for contested shots instead of creating quality looks.
The Play-In Nightmare: Why the Warriors Must Avoid It
Golden State experienced firsthand the dangers of the play-in tournament last season. They managed to survive, but it drained them physically and mentally before the first round of the playoffs even began.
If they fall into the play-in again, they’ll have to win at least one, if not two, do-or-die games just to secure a playoff spot. The Western Conference is loaded with talented teams, and facing an upstart squad like the Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, or Phoenix Suns in a one-game scenario is a recipe for disaster.
Moreover, finishing in the play-in means drawing a top-seeded team like the Denver Nuggets or Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. That’s a brutal path for a team trying to make a deep playoff run.
How the Warriors Can Fix Their Issues
If the Warriors want to avoid the play-in and finish the season strong, they need to address their problems immediately. Here’s what they must do:
1. Recommit to Defense
Defense is the foundation of every Warriors championship run. They must tighten their rotations, contest more shots, and limit easy baskets. Draymond Green needs to lead by example, and the rest of the team must follow suit.
2. Improve Late-Game Execution
Golden State must develop a more structured approach in clutch situations. Instead of relying solely on Curry’s heroics, they need to create smarter offensive sets that get everyone involved. Better shot selection and limiting turnovers will be crucial.
3. Get More From Wiggins and Thompson
Andrew Wiggins has shown flashes of brilliance but has been too inconsistent. If he can return to the level of play he displayed during the 2022 championship run, the Warriors will have a legitimate secondary scorer.
Klay Thompson, despite his struggles, remains a key piece. If he can regain confidence and knock down shots consistently, the Warriors’ offense will open up significantly.
4. Keep the Bench Engaged
Chris Paul must continue to be the steadying force for the second unit. Kuminga and Moody need to play with confidence, and Kerr should trust his bench more in critical moments.
5. Play With Urgency
The Warriors cannot afford to coast through the final stretch of the season. Every game matters, and they must approach each matchup with playoff intensity. If they play with desperation now, they can secure a top-six seed and avoid the play-in altogether.
Conclusion: Time is Running Out
The Warriors are running out of time to fix their issues. Their five-week surge proved they are still a dangerous team, but their recent slump has put them back in a precarious position.
If they can regain their defensive identity, improve their late-game execution, and get more consistent contributions from their supporting cast, they can still salvage the season. But if they continue to struggle, they’ll find themselves in the dreaded play-in tournament once again, with their championship aspirations hanging by a thread.
The next few weeks will determine whether the Warriors are contenders or merely another team fighting to stay afloat in the Western Conference. The ball is in their court—now they just have to deliver.
