Golden State Warriors stars Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry. © David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Warriors Get Major Playoff Update With Two Games Remaining

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Robert Marvi | Last updated Apr 11, 2025 3:18 AM ET

The Golden State Warriors are trying to avoid the play-in tournament as they continue their quest to return to the NBA playoffs, but they suffered a setback on Wednesday.

They lost to the lowly San Antonio Spurs, 114-111, on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Harrison Barnes, a forward who used to play for them years ago. That loss dropped them to sixth place in the Western Conference, and with a 47-33 record, they entered Thursday with the same record as the seventh-place Memphis Grizzlies and the eighth-place Minnesota Timberwolves.

Luckily for Golden State, Memphis lost to Minnesota on Thursday, which means it can make the playoffs outright and avoid the play-in tournament by simply winning its final two regular-season games.

It will visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday before hosting the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

After the Memphis loss, the Warriors control their own destiny again for a playoff spot. Win the final two (at Blazers, vs Clippers) and they’ll be at least the sixth seed. Could also climb above Clippers if they lose to Kings tomorrow (and Nuggets if they go 0-2).
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 11, 2025

The Warriors have mostly been riding high ever since they made a blockbuster trade for Jimmy Butler, a six-time All-Star forward, two months ago. They have gone 22-7 since his debut and have often looked like legitimate championship contenders again.

Stephen Curry, who seemed to be over the hill during the first half of the season, looks revitalized these days, and the team has ranked third in defensive rating since the All-Star break.

It will be very difficult for the Warriors to reach the NBA Finals with a bottom-four playoff seed. But Curry and Draymond Green, as well as Jimmy Butler, have overcome postseason obstacles before, and no one will count out this team until it is out of the playoffs.

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

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