The Golden State Warriors are headed for the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament as the 2026 NBA postseason approaches, with five or fewer games remaining for teams around the league in the 2025-26 regular season. USA TODAY reported that the Warriors, who are 36-41 and currently the No. 10 seed in the West, cannot catch the Western Conference's No. 6 seed before the regular season ends.
Late-Season Collapse
The article said the Warriors are trying to get into form ahead of the postseason after an injury-riddled season that included season-ending setbacks to Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, along with nagging injuries to Al Horford and Quinten Post. The team’s late push is being shaped by a roster that has been battered through the regular season and now faces a narrow path into the playoffs.
The Warriors are expected to welcome back star guard Stephen Curry, who missed the previous 27 games with what the team previously told USA 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. The article said Curry's return comes with five games remaining in the Warriors' schedule and is intended to help him get back into basketball shape for a postseason run.
What the Schedule Leaves
Golden State's remaining regular-season schedule is Sunday, April 5 vs. the Houston Rockets, Tuesday, April 7 vs. the Sacramento Kings, Thursday, April 9 vs. the Los Angeles Lakers, Friday, April 10 at the Sacramento Kings and Sunday, April 12 at the Los Angeles Clippers. Ahead of the Warriors in the West are the Los Angeles Clippers at No. 9 with a 39-38 record, the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 8 with a 40-38 record and the Phoenix Suns at No. 7.
If the regular season ended as of the article, 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, it is eliminated from postseason contention. If it wins, it would face the loser of the No. 7 vs. 8 seed game between the Suns and Trail Blazers for the No. 8 spot. If the Warriors win both play-in games, they would make their 2026 NBA playoff appearance in the first round against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Odds and Outlook
BetMGM odds listed the Warriors at -450 to miss the playoffs, +300 to make the playoffs, +2800 to advance to the Western Conference second round, +8000 to advance to the Western Conference Finals, +25000 to win the Western Conference Finals and +50000 to win the championship. The numbers reflect a team entering the postseason window with little margin for error and a narrow route through the play-in format.