Preview: final LeBron vs. Curry?
an era is coming to an end, the exact timing is unclear
Yes, today it is the Los Angeles Lakers versus the Golden State Warriors, but for many of us, this game is circled on the calendar for a non-outcome-related reason. This could well be the final face-off between LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
Next Wednesday, the Warriors will head to the NBA Play-In Tournament. The Lakers are still playing for some meaningful outcomes. The Denver Nuggets (51-28), Los Angeles Lakers (50-29), and Houston Rockets (50-29) are fighting for positions 3 through 5. The Lakers hold tiebreakers over the Rockets, but will be extremely interested in getting as favorable spot as possible - especially given the recent hamstring injury to Luka Doncic.
But tonight, there’s potentially something bigger happening. With LeBron beginning to make whispers about retirement, and next season’s Last Dance set by the matched expiring contracts of Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler, there’s a very real possibility that tonight may well be the last time Curry and LeBron face each other as opponents.
GAME DETAILS
WHO: Golden State Warriors (37-42) at Los Angeles Lakers (50-29)
WHEN: Thursday, April 9th, 2026; 7pm PST
WATCH: Amazon Prime (←WEIRD CHANNEL ALERT!)
Whispers from a not YET bygone era
It’s our last day in NYC, and as I packed, I was struck with the importance of the rituals that come with travel. The prep of packing is more than just mental - running through the weather, itinerary, and appetites of the group - it’s a holistic phase of getting ready.
And then so too does the preparations for departure begin to set the mind towards the upcoming change. Back to the old routine. Away from the new excitement. There’s a comfort in it that also wears the coat of fleeting memories. These moments that we all share with each other, knowing that it’s just a temporary orbit before all of the satellite constellations go rocketing off in their own directions.
Whether you’ve been on this journey since before Curry rejuvenated everything, or if you arrived a touch late to the party1 this era of Golden State basketball has been a ride to remember.
So yes. Watch this game, and of course root for the Warriors. There is a chance they can win this one. It’s more in the role of a spoiler than any sort of specific advantage for the Warriors - who are locked into the 10th seed no matter what happens in these final games. And that’s fine. When the Warriors and Curry first sniffed the NBA playoffs, it was a similar sort of role. A challenger. Not really seen as any sort of viable championship threat.
Of course, the Warriors didn’t get here because the season was easy and free of injuries; and tonight’s game is no different. This is the front end of a back-to-back (Kings tomorrow), and Golden State will be coming in short handed, per usual.
Charles Bassey, who had 14 points and 12 rebounds in his second game with Golden State on Tuesday, is questionable with an ankle sprain. With Al Horford (calf) and Quinten Post (foot) already ruled out, the Warriors could be without all of their centers for Thursday’s game.
Gui Santos (pelvic contusion) is questionable, while Will Richard (back) is doubtful.
Porzingis remains out.
So here we go again, just like old times.
LeBron and the Lakers are perhaps a hair closer to legitimate contention, but still widely seen as having a roster that falls short of true contention. None of that matters. Not once the playoffs start, and certainly not now.
Golden State (nor their fans) are no strangers to this dynamic. Stacked odds, slim hopes, and delusional optimism? Let’s gooooo!
Given the dearth of front court players, this is looking like a throwback game. Or maybe not. Again, on paper, the outcome of this game has absolutely no bearing on the standings for the Warriors - but these are Steph and Draymond’s crew. A squad that is certainly aware of what’s written on the paper, they have read the scouting reports and know what’s really going on; but they aren’t going to quit.
As we wrapped up our last night in NYC - Murray’s Cheese shop for airplane snacks, some delicious pizza that came out of a coal-fired oven older than most of the cities in California - I found myself wistfully pining for just one more thing. Maybe a taco. Hadn’t had one of those out here. Or back to that pinball and craft beer spot? The desire to keep squeezing good times out of the experience can feel almost overwhelming at times.
And yet, we all walked back to the hotel together. I may have had another round in me, but that stopped being as important as who I was with.
The sentiment here is that Curry (and presumably Green and even Steve Kerr) will ride out the end of their careers here in Golden State. Next year is certainly forecast as the end, and many of the best outcomes for this roster have come and gone. But man, what if that old crusty oven has a few more pizzas left in her? What if?
Is it all that crazy to presume that Curry is still unstoppable? We just watched him reel off two 4-point plays in less than two minutes of game clock. This isn’t impossible. Unlikely? Ha. YEAH. But when has that ever stopped anyone?
The Warriors still have Curry, and they’ve found a roster that while definitely far down the list of plans, is showing signs of viability. There’s a growing sense of unease that all of this will indeed manage to come together this season - those injuries are still stacking up, even while we all wait for Porzingis to get healthy again.
You don’t read the end of a story expecting big developments though. You read the end in order to feel and understand the conclusion of the narrative; and this story is mostly written, but not quite over just yet.
Prediction
I’ll be back home by the time this game tips off. Warriors play inspired ball, and out hustle the Lakers because the scouting report on this roster is non-existent. They’ll try (and fail) to cover Curry, and the Warriors will win a close one.
Everyone is welcome on the band wagon!
Post “game” thread up
I don't care that this game is meaningless I hate losing to the Lakers