Warriors playoff scenarios: How likely is Golden State to make a run?

Warriors playoff scenarios: How likely is Golden State to make a run?

The 2026 NBA postseason is right around the corner as teams around the association have five or fewer games remaining in the 2025-26 regular season.

USA TODAY Sports

TheGolden State Warriorslook to get their team into form ahead of the postseason following an injury-riddled season that has seen season-ending setbacks toJimmy ButlerandMoses Moody, and nagging injuries to Al Horford and Quinten Post.

On the bright side, theDubs will welcome back their star guard Stephen Currywho missed the previous 27 games with what the team previously toldUSA TODAY Sports was "runner's knee."

ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported that Curry is expected to play April 4 against the Houston Rockets. With five games remaining in the Warriors' schedule, Curry's return is just in the nick of time to get back into basketball shape for a post season run.

Here's what Golden State's playoff scenarios could look like:

AUSTIN REAVES INJURY UPDATE:Lakers lose second star for regular season ahead of playoffs

Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center. Oct. 26: The Washington Wizards' Cam Whitmore dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena. <p style=Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Oct. 25: The Denver Nuggets' Christian Braun dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns' Grayson Allen at Ball Arena. Oct. 24: The Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. dunks against the Miami Heat at FedExForum. Oct. 24: The Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo dunks over the Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. at FedExForum. Oct. 22: The New York Knicks' OG Anunoby goes up for a reverse dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. Oct. 22: The Utah Jazz's Lauri Markkanen dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers at Delta Center.

Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

MORE:Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026 inductees list stars Parker, Stoudemire and more

Golden State Warriors' remaining schedule

Here is who the Warriors face in their five remaining games of the 2025-26 regular season.

  • Sunday, April 5: vs. Houston Rockets

  • Tuesday, April 7: vs. Sacramento Kings

  • Thursday, April 9: vs. Los Angeles Lakers

  • Friday, April 10: @ Sacramento Kings

  • Sunday, April 12: @ Los Angeles Clippers

How the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament format works

The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament is practically the NBA's equivalent to MLB and NFL's wild card round. In this format, the Nos. 7-10 seeds are vying for a playoff berth. The higher seed plays at home throughout the tournament. The No. 7 and 8 seeds play each other, winner is the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. Loser still has a chance for the No. 8-seed.

Advertisement

The No. 9 and 10 seeds play each other in an elimination style game. The winner of the No. 9 vs. 10-seed game plays the loser of the No. 7 and 8 seeds game for the No. 8 and final spot in the playoffs.

Warriors' playoff scenarios

The Warriors will play in the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament since they won't be able to catch the Western Conference's No. 6 seed before the regular season ends.

The Warriors (36-41) arecurrently the No. 10 seed in the Westand have five games remaining before the postseason begins Tuesday, April 14 with the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament.

Ahead of them, by three games, are the Los Angeles Clippers (39-38) at the No. 9 slot. The Portland Trail Blazers are 40-38, a half game above the Clippers at No. 8. Currently placed at No. 7 are the Phoenix Suns.

If the regular season ended today, the Warriors would go on the road to face the Clippers in an elimination game for a chance at the No. 8-seed.

If Golden State loses they are eliminated from postseason contention. If they win, they would face the the loser of the No. 7 vs. 8 seed game between the Suns and Blazers for the No. 8 spot.

If the Warriors were to win both play-in games, they would make their 2026 NBA Playoff appearance in the first round against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Golden State Warriors playoffs odds

Here are the Warriors' playoffs odds, as of Saturday, April 4,courtesy of BetMGM.

Warriors' playoff chances

  • Miss the playoffs: -450

  • Make the playoffs: +300

  • Advance to Western Conference second round (semifinals): +2800

  • Advance to Western Conference Finals: +8000

  • Win Western Conference Finals: +25000

  • Win championship: +50000

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Golden State Warriors playoffs scenario: Can they make run with Curry?

 

NEO JRNL © 2015 | Distributed By My Blogger Themes | Designed By Templateism.com