The defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors have yet to clinch a top-six seed in the Western Conference Playoffs, leading to the possibility that they might have to take part in the Play-In Tournament.
Golden State boasts a mediocre 42-38 record with games coming up against the Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers to conclude the regular season. They are only a half-game up on the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers for the fifth seed in the conference.
Even if Golen State were to avoid the Play-In-Tournament, there is one major internal concern about their ability to repeat as champs and earn their fifth NBA title in nine years.
“The problem that worries the Warriors, according to sources, is the lack of cohesion in the bench unit. Because of injuries and Wiggins’ absence, the starting five of Golden State has played together just 23 times this season, and only once since January 19,” Sean Deveney from Heavy.com on the Warriors’ current situation.
Sidelined since Feb. 14 due to personal reasons, Wiggins just rejoined the Warriors on the bench for their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday. He’ll likely suit up against Sacramento on Friday. As noted in the report, it would be the first time since January 19 that the Warriors’ starting five is on the floor together.
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Golden State Warriors’ bench seen as an issue heading into the NBA Playoffs
Let’s assume for a second that Golden State gets a top-six seed, it would either take on the aforementioned Kings or Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
The Warriors’ starting five won’t be overmatched against either of these teams. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney match up well against any team in the NBA.
Instead, it’s all about the second unit. High-scoring guard Jordan Poole has started 43 games this season. In the 37 outings he has not started, the inconsistent youngster has scored 13 points or fewer 14 times. He’s dropped north of 30 points in 11 of his starts.
- Jordan Poole stats (2022-23): 20.6 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 4.5 APG, 43% shooting, 34% 3-point
The Golden State Warriors’ bench ranks 22nd in the NBA in plus-minus after finishing last season second. Trying to find the right mix behind the starting five is going to be a test for four-time championship head coach Steve Kerr.
In addition to Poole, the likes of Donte DiVincenzo, Jonathan Kuminga and the recently-acquired Gary Payton II should take on large minutes once the postseason opens up. Each one provides something different in a vacuum, especially the young Kuminga. The 20-year-old is averaging 13.2 points and 4.4 rebounds on 41% shooting from distance over the past 20 games.
However, how these bench players come together as a unit will play a huge role in the Golden State Warriors’ viability as a championship contender once the regular season draws to a conclusion.