NBA regular season games continued today, with all matches concluded. The Bucks defeated the Pacers 120-112 on the road, the Celtics overwhelmed the Raptors 125-71 at home, the Clippers suffered a crushing 86-122 loss to the Spurs away, the Thunder beat the Timberwolves 113-105 at home, the Lakers lost 110-122 to the Cavaliers at home, and the Suns lost 112-117 to the Grizzlies at home. Despite not having a game scheduled today, the Warriors received a significant gift.
The Warriors' Top 10 Spot in the West Seems Secure!
Teams ahead of the Warriors, including the Lakers, Clippers, and Timberwolves, all lost their games. The good news is that, despite currently ranking 10th in the West, the Warriors are only 2.5 games behind the 5th-placed Nuggets. With a winning streak, the Warriors could return to the top 6 in the West, with a significant opportunity. Of course, the Suns' home loss to the Grizzlies was crucial for the Warriors' stability. Booker's return had boosted the Suns' morale, and a Suns victory would have easily pushed the Warriors out of the top 10 in the West. However, not only did the Suns lose at home, dropping to a 15-17 record, but they also fell 1.0 game behind the Warriors, and Beal got injured again.
While we do not wish to see players get injured, the Warriors' competitors are still in disarray due to injuries, providing the currently struggling Warriors with a chance to catch their breath. This has allowed the Warriors to temporarily stabilize their top 10 ranking in the West, giving them a higher starting point for a potential return to the playoffs. However, looking at themselves, the Warriors' upcoming schedule remains challenging. They will face strong opponents such as the 76ers, Grizzlies, Kings, and Heat, followed by a series of consecutive away games, including three Eastern Conference matches and then returning west to face the Timberwolves. During this period, the Warriors will be tested by tough opponents and the endurance of their veterans. Any misstep could lead to a further drop in their rankings.
To Break the Deadlock, Trades Remain the Only Way Out for the Warriors!
With the Warriors' current short and flawed lineup, breaking the deadlock seems too difficult. Although the Warriors were once at the top of the West at the beginning of the season, it is important to note that Melton was still in the team at that time. He was the only role player on the Warriors with excellent offensive and defensive capabilities and no obvious weaknesses. Now that Melton has been traded away after his injury, the Warriors always have 1-2 weak points that can be targeted. Schroder is also clearly unsuitable for the Warriors' lineup and system; he cannot match the level of the Nets' spirit and struggles greatly. In this situation, trades are the only way for the Warriors to solve their problems.
Currently, it seems that only Butler can address the Warriors' issues in terms of immediate combat effectiveness among the available stars in the market. Another big fish is Fox, who is also a short guard and not suitable for the Warriors. After missing out on Markkanen during the offseason, the Warriors' management faces a significant challenge. If they had been willing to trade Bogut, the Warriors would now have the inside-outside combination of Curry and Markkanen, along with Kuminga's rise, and they would not be in their current dire situation. It is too late for the Warriors' management to regret now; they need to redeem themselves, which is undoubtedly very difficult, but they have caused all of this themselves. The Schroder trade appears to have failed again, and Xiaodunlevi has created one problem after another for himself. He needs to resolve this mess; otherwise, he will only waste the last years of Curry's career, and Xiaodunlevi will become the sinner of the Warriors.