The Golden State Warriors looked like a team in transition when the 2026-27 season opened. They dropped their first three games, the offense bogged down, and the early read was that this might be a bridge year until Jimmy Butler returns.
Eight straight wins later, that idea has changed fast.
Golden State rolled past the New Orleans Pelicans 138-87 on Monday to extend its streak to eight, and Stephen Curry was once again right at the center of it. He scored 25 points on just 10 shot attempts, continuing the kind of MVP-level run that has powered the turnaround.
The supporting cast has been just as important. Brandin Podziemski and Yaxel Lendeborg combined for 48 points while shooting 18 of 29 from the field, and the bench has kept tilting games in the Warriors’ favor.
The streak also carries a little history with it. Per Nick Friedell of The Athletic, the last time Golden State won eight in a row during a single season was in 2021-22, the same year the franchise won its most recent championship.
That comparison is hard to ignore. Five seasons ago, the Warriors were coming off a season in which they missed the playoffs after falling short in the play-in tournament. This year’s team followed a similar path, with the Phoenix Suns knocking them out of playoff contention in the battle for the eight-seed.
The 2021-22 group also entered the season without much title buzz. Plenty of people expected improvement, but not many saw a championship coming. Then Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole turned into real difference-makers and helped carry the Warriors all the way.
It’s fair to wonder whether Podziemski and Lendeborg could become this version’s answer to Wiggins and Poole. And unlike that earlier run, this team still has Jimmy Butler waiting in the wings.
There are still plenty of dangerous teams around the league, including the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers. But right now, the Warriors are making it clear they belong in the conversation.
In Other News...
Warriors Two-Way Depth Suddenly Has A New Roster Problem
Alex Tooheys path with the Warriors took an early detour when he was waived after getting only limited preseason opportunities, but he wasted little time making his case in Santa Cruz. In the G League clubs season opener, Toohey flashed the kind of all-around production that can keep a front office paying attention, finishing with 18 points along with rebounds and assists while reminding Golden State there is still some upside to monitor.
For a team already carrying Malevy Leons and LJ Cryer on two-way deals without much meaningful NBA run so far this season, Tooheys quick response adds a new layer to the roster conversation. The Warriors do not have to rush anything, but performances like this can change the calculus fast, and Tooheys showing puts him back in position to push for another shot at a two-way contract in the near future. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Blowout Came With A New Injury Concern Off The Bench
The Warriors lopsided win over the Pelicans still came with a bit of unease on the sideline, as Brandon Williams exited the game because of a left hamstring injury. Golden State said Williams will undergo an MRI, with an update on his status to follow, adding another layer of concern to a night that otherwise went smoothly on the scoreboard.
Williams has been in his first season with the Warriors and had already chipped in four points before leaving. For a bench unit that has been trying to provide steady minutes, any injury scare is worth watching, especially with the team still sorting out its depth and rotation as the season moves along. [Read more 🡒]
Andrew Wiggins Is Raising A Familiar Concern For Warriors Fans
Andrew Wiggins rough start in Miami is the kind of development Warriors fans know all too well, even if it is happening in a different uniform. Heat coach Eric Spoelstra made the move to bench him in favor of Pelle Larson, a clear signal that Wiggins is already under pressure to settle in after a poor opening stretch.
Wiggins still logged nearly 32 minutes in the win over the Sacramento Kings, but the production was thin, with six points, three rebounds and one assist. If the early-season struggles continue, Miami could start looking at trade possibilities before the mid-season deadline, which is the sort of uncertainty that tends to follow Wiggins when his game slips out of rhythm. [Read more 🡒]