Warriors Enter All-Star Break with Questions, Grit, and a Glimpse of What’s Possible
The All-Star break couldn’t have come at a better time for the Golden State Warriors. With Stephen Curry and Kristaps Porzingis both sidelined by injuries, and the coaching staff still tinkering with the rotation, the pause gives this team a much-needed reset. But even with key pieces missing, Golden State’s recent stretch has offered a lot to unpack - from the emergence of young talent to the ongoing battle with inconsistency.
Rotation Riddles: Santos Rising, Spencer Surging
As the Warriors inch closer to full health, the rotation is going to get interesting. Gui Santos has played his way into what feels like a permanent role in the starting five.
The third-year forward from Brazil continues to shine, showing a blend of toughness, scoring touch, and rebounding instincts that Golden State has sorely needed. Pat Spencer, meanwhile, is making a strong case for more minutes, though his rise could come at the expense of Brandin Podziemski, who’s been solid in his own right.
The Warriors are facing the best kind of problem - too many players making strong contributions. Sorting out who plays when and with whom will be a key storyline coming out of the break.
Comeback Kings in Memphis
Let’s start with the high point of the week: a gutsy 114-113 comeback win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Down 17 late in the third quarter, the Warriors clawed all the way back, closing the game on a 19-5 run and outscoring Memphis 29-15 in the fourth. It was the kind of win that doesn’t just show up in the standings - it reveals character.
Golden State finally dialed back the three-point volume, attempting just 33 shots from deep - their lowest total since late December. Instead, they attacked the paint against a Memphis squad that started 6-foot-8 Kyle Anderson at center, racking up 60 points inside. When the Warriors don’t fall in love with the three, they’re a much tougher team to beat - they’re now 3-1 when attempting 35 or fewer threes.
Al Horford, the 39-year-old veteran, led by example. He posted 16 points, nine boards, and six assists, including a crucial offensive rebound that set up Santos for the game-winner - his second clutch shot in a week. Santos added 16 points and eight rebounds, continuing his run of seven straight games in double figures (a streak that ended against the Spurs).
It wasn’t just Horford and Santos, though. This was a total team effort.
Seven players scored at least 10 points, including Spencer (17), Podziemski (16), Moody (15), Green (14), and Melton (10). That’s a far cry from the early season, when only Curry, Melton, and Moody were averaging double figures.
With injuries forcing others to step up, Golden State now has six players hitting that mark - and Spencer’s knocking on the door at 9.4 points per game.
The Turnover Trouble
Despite the win, the Warriors nearly gave it away with sloppy ball control. After committing just seven turnovers in the first half, they coughed it up 16 times in the second - a season-high 23 overall. Draymond Green was responsible for seven of them, and the Grizzlies turned those miscues into 23 points.
Luckily, Golden State’s defense stepped up when it mattered most. They forced eight Memphis turnovers in the fourth quarter alone, including six steals, and turned those into 11 crucial points.
That kind of defensive pressure helped seal the win, but the turnover issue is still looming large. Since Jimmy Butler’s knee injury, the Warriors are averaging 16.5 turnovers per game - 27th in the league during that stretch.
Fourth-Quarter Collapse in San Antonio
Just a few nights later, the Warriors found themselves on the wrong end of a blown lead. After leading the Spurs by four at halftime and playing some of their best basketball without Curry and Butler, Golden State unraveled in the fourth quarter of a 126-113 loss.
The first half was crisp - zero turnovers in the opening quarter, 22 assists by halftime, and 51% shooting from the field. The offense was humming, and the ball movement was sharp.
But in the final 12 minutes, everything fell apart. The Warriors managed just 19 points on 36.8% shooting, while allowing San Antonio to hit 63.2% from the field.
They forced only one turnover in the quarter and committed three of their own, along with just six assists after racking up 31 through three quarters.
The Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama and a productive bench unit, dominated the paint all night. The trio of Harper, Johnson, and Barnes combined for 45 points on 58% shooting - outscoring Golden State’s bench by a point and outworking them across the board.
Draymond Green: Player of the Week
Say what you will about Draymond Green, but when he’s locked in, he still makes a massive impact. This week, he was everywhere - averaging 15.5 points, eight rebounds, and five assists over two games.
His performance against Wembanyama was particularly impressive. Green held his own defensively against the 7-foot-4 phenom while also contributing 17 points, 12 boards, and eight assists - all with just two turnovers.
It was only his second double-double of the season, and it came at a time the Warriors needed him to lead.
What’s Next
The Warriors will return from the All-Star break with a tough test against the Celtics, followed by a Sunday matinee against the Nuggets at Chase Center. Both games will offer a clearer picture of what this team can be down the stretch.
Stephen Curry and Kristaps Porzingis are expected to be back on the floor Thursday. Porzingis may be on a minutes restriction, but his presence alone will shift the dynamics of the rotation. Golden State went 2-3 without Curry, but those five games showed something important: this team has resilience, depth, and young players ready to step up.
Now comes the hard part - putting it all together. With new lineups, returning stars, and rotation decisions looming, the post-All-Star stretch is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal runs of the Warriors’ season.