Warriors Still Battling to Avoid Play-In Tournament as Regular Season Winds Down

With just two games remaining in the regular season, the Golden State Warriors find themselves in a heated battle to secure a top-six seed in the Western Conference and avoid the NBA Play-In Tournament. As of Friday, April 11, 2025, the Warriors sit at 47-33, tied with both the Memphis Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves, with playoff seeding hanging in the balance over the final weekend.

Golden State suffered a tough blow earlier this week on Wednesday, falling 114-111 to the San Antonio Spurs in heartbreaking fashion. Former Warrior Harrison Barnes, now playing for the Spurs, hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to seal the upset win and deal a damaging loss to his old team. The defeat snapped momentum for the Warriors, who have otherwise looked resurgent since the All-Star break.

Despite the loss, the Warriors were thrown a lifeline Thursday night when the Memphis Grizzlies dropped their game against Minnesota, giving Golden State a chance to control its destiny. If the Warriors win both of their remaining games—a road matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday and a crucial home finale against the playoff-bound Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday—they will clinch a top-six seed and avoid the Play-In entirely.

Head coach Steve Kerr emphasized the importance of staying out of the Play-In. “We’ve been through enough battles to know that those extra days of rest before the first round matter,” Kerr said. “We want to come in fresh and ready to go.”

Since the team’s blockbuster mid-season trade for six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler, the Warriors have surged. Butler’s arrival brought a new level of intensity on both ends of the floor, complementing the leadership of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Since Butler’s debut, the Warriors are 22-7 and have climbed the defensive rankings, currently sitting third in defensive rating since the All-Star break.

Stephen Curry has rediscovered his MVP form, looking revitalized after a slow start to the season. In a recent must-win game against Memphis, Curry exploded for 52 points on 12 made three-pointers, while also recording 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals—a performance that reminded everyone why he's one of the most feared players in postseason history.

The Warriors know the stakes. Finishing as a top-six seed would not only eliminate the pressure of the single-elimination Play-In format but would also provide rest for their veteran-heavy core, particularly Curry, who turns 37 this year. However, falling to seventh or lower would put them in a win-or-go-home scenario, where a single off night could end their season prematurely.

The next 48 hours will define the Warriors' path forward. With two games left, everything is on the line. The team will need to channel its playoff pedigree, lean on its experienced stars, and finish strong to earn a traditional playoff berth. If they can do that, the Warriors could be a very dangerous team in the postseason—regardless of seeding.