It’s hard to believe that for all their success, it’s been a rollercoaster ride for the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors have won championships in dominant fashion and lost titles in the most heartbreaking ways. Their stars have shined in the brightest of lights and have had to endure the lowest of lows. 

Thus, it’s no surprise that in 2024-2025, Golden State has taken the long and winding road to the postseason. 

The Warriors simply had to win their regular season finale against the Los Angeles Clippers to advance to the 2025 NBA Playoffs, but even that was easier said than done. It was clear the Clippers were punishing Golden State’s frontcourt with their interior scoring, but Los Angeles’ perimeter game was as deadly, especially in overtime. 

Such is life in the Western Conference, where winning more than 45 games won’t guarantee you a spot in the postseason. The stakes are higher in the West because one game can change a team’s fortunes. After all, it was former Warrior Harrison Barnes that sent them down this path in what we now view as a cruel twist of fate. 

The Play-In Tournament is not a death sentence as it’s still a win-and-you’re-in scenario for the Golden State. However, the Warriors’ aging core would have been happier to have advanced to the postseason without having to play an extra game or two. Golden State has had more than a handful of players miss games due to injury, with only Buddy Hield crossing the 80-game mark. An additional game is both a second chance and raises the chance for an injury, which is something the Warriors would prefer to avoid. 

Golden State won three of their four matchups against their 2025 Play-In Tournament opponent Memphis Grizzlies, but the Grizzlies were able to rest their starters in their season finale against the Dallas Mavericks. At full strength, Memphis has the size and the skill to replicate what the Clippers did to the Warriors. However, Golden State only had Jimmy Butler for one of those games, which was a 134-125 victory back on April 1, and it was clear in the Play-In that Playoff Jimmy was just what they needed to advance. 

In reality, though, this could have been avoided if the Warriors didn’t shoot themselves in the foot. Golden State had control of their postseason destiny and could have at least avoided the dangerous Play-In Tournament. It seems like a bad situation to be in, but at least they’re not the Phoenix Suns. 

Thankfully, the Golden State Warriors are now in the postseason. The Houston Rockets will definitely be a stiff challenge, but given how the Warriors have made the most of their chances now, maybe a chance is all they’ll need.