The Golden State Warriors are gearing up for the Play-In tournament, a spot they've been eyeing for a while. With their position in the top 10 all but locked in-thanks to the struggles of teams like the Kings, Jazz, Pelicans, Mavericks, and Grizzlies-it's all about securing the best possible seed. Landing in the No. 7 or No. 8 spots would give them two chances to clinch a playoff berth, while finishing at No. 9 or No. 10 would mean a tougher path, requiring two wins to advance.
After a tough 130-124 loss to the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Clippers' recent surge, the Warriors find themselves ninth in the West. They're half a game behind the Clippers and just 1.5 games ahead of the Blazers. To add to the challenge, they don't hold the tiebreaker against either team, which could be crucial if records are tied.
A couple of stumbles at a critical juncture
The Warriors had just navigated a challenging stretch against the Clippers, Rockets, and Thunder. They seemed poised for a smoother ride with back-to-back games against the struggling Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls.
However, things went south quickly. Losing to two teams in tank mode is tough, but it's how they lost that stings.
In those two games, the Warriors launched 106 threes, connecting on just 36 (34%). This came against a Jazz team ranked low in opponent paint points and a Bulls squad with only one true center.
In the game against the Bulls, the Warriors were up by eight with just 1:31 remaining. Then chaos ensued: Matas Buzelis, who had a career night with 41 points, hit a three.
Al Horford fouled Buzelis on another three, leading to free throws. Turnovers and missed opportunities followed, sending the game into overtime where the Warriors struggled, shooting just 2-of-11 and ultimately falling short.
The bench shines amid struggles
Despite the setbacks, the Warriors' bench offered a glimmer of hope. Gary Payton II, LJ Cryer, Pat Spencer, and Will Richard delivered standout performances.
Cryer, a two-way player, built on his solid showing in Utah with a career-high 17 points against the Bulls. Though he missed a crucial free throw late, his overall impact was positive, leading the team in plus-minus at +13.
Payton has been a consistent force since rejoining the rotation, averaging 11.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals. His second double-double of the season came against the Bulls, featuring 12 points and 11 rebounds, along with some jaw-dropping dunks.
Pat Spencer bounced back after a rough patch, contributing 17 points, three rebounds, and six assists, leading the team with a +18 in 30 minutes against Chicago.
Will Richard returned from an ankle sprain to make a difference in the fourth quarter, scoring five points on perfect shooting and snagging three steals. He was instrumental in a 24-4 run that gave the Warriors a lead they couldn't hold onto.
Looking ahead, there's optimism as Stephen Curry is set to be reevaluated after missing 15 games with a knee injury. The Warriors have struggled without him, going 5-10, but his potential return could be a game-changer as they prepare to face the Timberwolves.