In the NBA, the strategy of tanking has taken center stage recently, with teams like the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers fully embracing the approach. This tactic was evident in the Golden State Warriors' recent victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, a team seemingly more focused on draft positioning than winning. The Grizzlies' scoreless stretch in the last five minutes, coupled with puzzling turnovers and unusual lineup choices, allowed the Warriors to rally from a 17-point deficit, raising eyebrows across the league.
Tanking doesn't just boost draft odds; it can also shake up the playoff landscape for teams jockeying for position.
Warriors' Path Through Tanking Teams
Currently, about ten NBA teams appear to have a vested interest in losing games: the Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Sacramento Kings. Among these, the Grizzlies, Pacers, Nets, Jazz, Wizards, and Kings are the most conspicuous tankers.
The Warriors have nine games left against these tanking teams, including six against the most overt tankers. In comparison, their rivals have fewer such matchups: Portland with 10 (eight against the bottom six), the Clippers with eight (five against the bottom six), Phoenix with seven (four against the bottom six), the Lakers with eight (six against the bottom six), and Minnesota with five (three against the bottom six).
While these games present opportunities, the Warriors must capitalize on them, a task they've struggled with against undermanned opponents. This season, they've lost to a Bucks team missing Giannis Antetokounmpo, a depleted Pacers squad, the Magic without Paolo Banchero, Portland without Jrue Holiday and Shaedon Sharpe, the Rockets without Kevin Durant and Steven Adams, and Minnesota without Anthony Edwards. Each of these losses could have made a difference, considering they're just 4.5 games behind the fourth seed.
Despite having the second-most games left against tanking teams among playoff contenders, the Warriors also face a challenging schedule with games against the top three teams in each conference: the Celtics, Nuggets, Thunder, Knicks, Pistons, and Spurs.
Injury Challenges and Playoff Push
Injuries have plagued the Warriors, with key players missing significant time: Steph Curry (16 games), Jimmy Butler (17 and out for the season), Draymond Green (9), Al Horford (21), and De’Anthony Melton (27, with a 24-minute restriction). Curry is set to miss his 17th game against the Celtics, which could affect his eligibility for end-of-season awards.
The Warriors’ core lineup without Butler (Curry, Green, Podziemski, Melton, Horford, and Moody) has only played 12 games together, boasting a 9-3 record. If they can maintain their health and Kristaps Porzingis delivers as expected, the Warriors might finish strong and become a formidable opponent in the playoffs.