Warriors Seek Stability as Kerr Eyes Consistency in Starting Five
SAN FRANCISCO - Nine games, nine different starting lineups. That’s been the story for the Golden State Warriors lately, but head coach Steve Kerr is hoping the revolving door finally slows down.
After a stretch defined by injuries and constant adjustments, Kerr made it clear this week: if everyone’s healthy, the plan is to stick with the same group that started Sunday’s game in Portland.
“I would love to get some continuity,” Kerr said after Tuesday’s practice at Chase Center. “It’s been tough to string together games with everyone healthy and the same starting lineup.”
That lineup - Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody, Draymond Green, and Quinten Post - is one Kerr believes can build some rhythm, both as a starting unit and in how it sets up the bench rotation behind them.
Health Has Been the Main Obstacle
The Warriors’ lack of consistency hasn’t been about strategy as much as survival. Over the last nine games, Curry has suited up for just four.
Green played in three, missing six, and didn’t even make it to halftime in one of those. Butler missed two full games and was sidelined the entire second half of another due to injury.
“To be honest, it’s been impossible the last couple of weeks,” Kerr admitted. “I don’t think we’ve had Dray, Steph and Jimmy all together since the Houston game.”
That Houston matchup - a 104-100 loss back on Nov. 26 - was the last time the Warriors’ core trio shared the floor. Curry exited that game early with a left quad contusion, which sidelined him for the next five contests. Green’s absence has been a mix of a right foot sprain and personal reasons, while Butler’s been managing left knee soreness.
In the meantime, Kerr’s had to get creative. Pat Spencer earned starts on the recent road trip after strong play, and the Warriors picked up two wins with him in the lineup. But as Kerr acknowledged, while circumstances have dictated much of the shuffling, he’s also looking inward.
“I can do a better job of trying to help the guys build some of that [continuity] too,” he said.
A Starting Five to Build On?
The current five - Curry, Butler, Moody, Green, and Post - got their first full run together in Sunday’s 136-131 loss to the Trail Blazers. They logged just under nine minutes as a group and were narrowly outscored 29-28.
Statistically, it was a mixed bag. The group shot just 1-of-3 on two-pointers but knocked down 8-of-14 from beyond the arc. Defensively, they struggled to contain Portland’s perimeter shooting, allowing the Blazers to hit 5-of-8 from deep during that stretch, good for an eye-popping 80.6 true shooting percentage.
Still, there’s something to work with. Curry, Butler, and Green have started every game they’ve played this season. Moody’s been in the starting five for more than half of his 25 appearances, and Post has started 13 of 27 games.
“Consistency is good,” Moody said after practice. “You can get a comfort and feel in your role, your spot, so you know it. But it’s the NBA, so you’ve got to be ready to adjust.”
That adaptability is key, especially for Moody and Post, whose perimeter shooting can make or break the spacing around the stars. Moody missed four open threes in the first half Sunday but bounced back to hit two of four in the second, finishing with 12 points. Post added 11 points, going 4-of-9 from the field and 3-of-6 from deep.
Draymond at the Four? It’s a Balancing Act
For years, the Warriors have thrived with Draymond Green as their small-ball center - a defensive disruptor and offensive initiator. But at 35, the physical toll is real. That’s where Quinten Post comes in.
The 7-footer gives Golden State something they haven’t had consistently: size that can stretch the floor. Playing Green at the four alongside Post opens up different looks, even if it means sacrificing some of the chaos Green creates defensively at the five.
“We’re more dynamic speed-wise and disruptive defensively when he’s at the five,” Kerr said. “But when he’s at the four, we get size and rebounding with QP.
I like that. We’re a pretty small team in general.”
Kerr noted that the team can always shift Green back to center in crunch time - a luxury they’ve leaned on for years - but giving Post more minutes with the starters is a nod to his strong season, especially on the defensive end.
Looking Ahead
That Curry-Butler-Moody-Green-Post unit had just six minutes together before Sunday’s game. Now, Kerr is hoping to give them a real runway - starting with Thursday’s matchup against the Suns in Phoenix.
“I would love for this to be our starting lineup,” Kerr said. “We’ll give it a good look.”
No guarantees, of course. This is the NBA, where plans shift quickly. But if the Warriors can finally get their core healthy and keep this group on the floor, they might just find the stability they’ve been searching for all season.