Three weeks ago, the Western Conference playoff picture seemed set. But in the blink of an eye, the Rockets went on an improbable winning streak and are now on the verge of ousting the Warriors from the Play-In tournament.
At the same time Houston’s hot streak began, Golden State began to struggle. They have lost six of their last nine games in that same span, leaving the door open for the Rockets to steal the final play-in spot in the Western Conference.
The Warriors currently hold just a one-game lead over the Rockets for the No. 10 seed. All-Star guard Stephen Curry only played 30 minutes in Sunday’s four-point loss to the Timberwolves, and head coach Steve Kerr insisted that the weight of Golden State’s playoff run shouldn’t fall solely on Curry’s shoulders.
“We can’t expect to just ride Steph game after game after game,” Kerr told the media. “These last few weeks have been very tough on him. We’ve put the weight of this franchise on his shoulders for 15 years… If you want to say he plays 30 minutes instead of 32, it’s a difference between a win and a loss.” . “I totally disagree with that.”
Curry has remained his usual self, averaging a team-leading 26.8 points per game, but he hasn’t gotten much help. While Jonathan Kuminga has been a savior, Klay Thompson has had an up-and-down season. The Warriors have received contributions from Draymond Green and rookie wing Brandin Podziemski, but Chris Paul has been in and out of the lineup due to injury. Andrew Wiggins has also been away from the team for personal reasons.
The Warriors have been anything but consistent all year. Now they will have to fight until the end to reach the Play-In tournament.
Warriors’ remaining schedule
The Warriors have 12 games left in the season, including a crucial matchup against the Rockets in Houston on April 4.
Golden State has the sixth-easiest schedule remaining in the NBA, according to Tankathon. That’s more favorable than the Rockets, who have the 11th toughest remaining schedule.
You can find the rest of the Warriors’ 2023-24 schedule below.
| Date | Adversary | Time (ET) | television channel |
| March 26 | in heat | 7:30 pm | — |
| March 27th | in magic | 7 p.m. | — |
| March 29 | in hornets | 7 p.m. | — |
| March 31st | in the spurs | 7 p.m. | nba television |
| April 2 | against Mavericks | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| April 4 | in rockets | 8 p.m. | — |
| 5th of April | in Mavericks | 8:30 pm | — |
| April 7 | against jazz | 8:30 pm | — |
| April 9th | in the Lakers | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| April 11 | in the Trailblazers | 10 p.m. | — |
| April 12th | against pelicans | 10 p.m. | — |
| April 14th | against jazz | 3:30 pm | — |
Warriors odds in the NBA playoffs
As of March 25, the Warriors have a 24.7 percent chance of making the playoffs, per Basketball-Reference Playoff Odds Report.
By comparison, the Rockets have a 6.3 percent chance of making the postseason.
The ringer It gives Golden State an 88 percent chance of making the Play-In tournament and a 21 percent chance of making the playoffs.
Western Conference standings
The Warriors have a one-game lead over the Rockets for the final spot in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament. The Lakers are by no means safe, just 2.5 games ahead of Golden State and 3.5 games ahead of Houston.
You can find the full Western Conference playoff picture below.
| Range | Equipment | Record | IS |
| 1 | nuggets | 50-21 | — |
| 2 | Thunder | 49-21 | 0.5 |
| 3 | timber wolves | 49-22 | 1 |
| 4 | Scissors | 44-26 | 5.5 |
| 5 | pelicans | 44-27 | 6 |
| 6 | Suns | 42-29 | 8 |
| 7 | Kings | 41-29 | 8.5 |
| 8 | Mavericks | 41-29 | 8.5 |
| 9 | Lakers | 39-32 | eleven |
| 10 | Warriors | 36-34 | 13.5 |
| — | rockets | 35-35 | 14.5 |
