Kurtenbach: Do the Warriors Really Think They Can Load Manage Their Way to the Playoffs?
The Golden State Warriors fell to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, playing without Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. On paper, the loss might seem somewhat encouraging if you look closely at the box score.
Despite fielding a lineup that looked more like a G-League roster, the Warriors managed to push the short-handed Kings to the final minute. Rookie Will Richard impressed with 30 points, while Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga contributed 28 and 24 points respectively.
“Only moral victories don’t mean a thing in the NBA’s Western Conference.”
By now, it’s clear that sentimental takeaways won’t help in the brutal Western Conference standings. If the Warriors are already searching for silver linings this early into the 2025–26 season, something in the system feels off.
When Golden State performs at its peak — with Curry and Butler playing at MVP levels and Draymond Green and Al Horford anchoring the defense — they can stand toe-to-toe with any team. But those moments of brilliance appear less and less frequent.
Just last week, the Warriors stumbled through uninspired losses to the Pacers and Bucks, opponents they should have handled with ease. And now, their decision to rest stars during a back-to-back against Sacramento has only amplified concerns.
Author’s Summary
The Warriors’ attempt to balance rest and competitiveness is testing fan patience, as inconsistent play and questionable load management continue to derail their winning rhythm.
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