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Golden State Warriors Make Roster Decision Before Playoffs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated Apr 13, 2025 1:26 PM ET

The Golden State Warriors are mounting for a pivotal regular season finale against the LA Clippers.

With the No. 4 through No. 8 seeds in the Western Conference unsettled as all 30 teams are playing their 82nd game of the season, the Clippers and Warriors squaring off will be crucial.

All eyes will be on the contest, too, as the game was picked up by ESPN. Assuming there will be a massive draw, Golden State aims to secure its spot in the playoffs in front of a big audience, avoiding the Play-In Tournament altogether.

Since Jimmy Butler was acquired by the Warriors at the trade deadline, they've been a revitalized team. However, they were sharper a couple of weeks back than they are now, as Steve Kerr recently acknowledged.

"We have to pass the ball better. We have to space better," Kerr said following their win over the Portland Trail Blazers. "We have to develop a rhythm. We were in a better place, I think, a few weeks ago.

"We were playing with more rhythm, more flow and two-way connection and we have to get back to that. The last couple of weeks have been a little choppy."

With the playoffs nearing, the Warriors also happened to make a roster decision.

The club brought G League Defensive Player of the Year and Santa Cruz Warriors standout Braxton Key up on a standard contract, converting him from a two-way deal.

Warriors convert Braxton Key to standard NBA contract: pic.twitter.com/uEWZ1iFTdk
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) April 13, 2025

"The Golden State Warriors have converted forward Braxton Key to a standard NBA contract," the Warriors announced on Sunday. "Key, 28, has played in three games with Golden State this season, averaging 1.0 points in 3.6 minutes per game. Key was originally signed by the Warriors to a two-way contract on March 4, 2024."

As the club heads into a pivotal game against the Clippers -- just before the postseason -- they add Key to the lineup for added wing and defensive depth.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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