Three weeks ago, the Western Conference Playoff picture appeared to be set. But in the blink of an eye, the Rockets ripped off an improbable winning streak and are now on the brink of pushing the Warriors out of the Play-In Tournament.
At the same time Houston’s hot streak began, Golden State started to struggle. It has lost six of its last nine games in that same span, leaving the door open for the Rockets to steal the final Western Conference Play-In Spot.
The Warriors currently own 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 was adamant that the weight of Golden State’s playoff race 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 really tough on him. We’ve put the burden of this franchise on his shoulders for 15 years … If you want to say that him playing 30 minutes instead of 32 is a difference in a win and a loss, I totally disagree with that.”
Curry has still been his usual self, averaging a team-leading 26.8 points per game, but he hasn’t had much help. While Jonathan Kuminga has been a savior, Klay Thompson has had an up-and-down season. The Warriors have gotten 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’ll have to fight to the finish just to make the Play-In Tournament.
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Warriors remaining schedule
The Warriors have 12 games left in the season, including one 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 is 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 | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| March 26 | at Heat | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| March 27 | at Magic | 7 p.m. | — |
| March 29 | at Hornets | 7 p.m. | — |
| March 31 | at Spurs | 7 p.m. | NBA TV |
| April 2 | vs. Mavericks | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| April 4 | at Rockets | 8 p.m. | — |
| April 5 | at Mavericks | 8:30 p.m. | — |
| April 7 | vs. Jazz | 8:30 p.m. | — |
| April 9 | at Lakers | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| April 11 | at Trail Blazers | 10 p.m. | — |
| April 12 | vs. Pelicans | 10 p.m. | — |
| April 14 | vs. Jazz | 3:30 p.m. | — |
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Warriors NBA Playoff odds
As of March 25, the Warriors have a 24.7 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to Basketball-Reference’s Playoff Probabilities Report.
For comparison, the Rockets have a 6.3 percent chance of making the postseason.
The Ringer 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 aren’t in the clear by any means, sitting only 2.5 games ahead of Golden State and 3.5 games ahead of Houston.
You can find the full Western Conference playoff picture below.
| Rank | Team | Record | GB |
| 1 | Nuggets | 50-21 | — |
| 2 | Thunder | 49-21 | 0.5 |
| 3 | Timberwolves | 49-22 | 1 |
| 4 | Clippers | 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 | 11 |
| 10 | Warriors | 36-34 | 13.5 |
| — | Rockets | 35-35 | 14.5 |
