Preview: Warriors stare at new NBA blueprint against Spurs
Curry returns to full scrimmage! (still out)
The Golden State have just seven games left in the regular season, and will assuredly be facing a steep climb from there, no matter which specific seed they end up with. tonight is likely to exacerbate the struggles further, as the enormous - and enormously talented - San Antonio Spurs roll into San Francisco. All of this will go down on what is projected to be a fittingly dark and rainy evening in the city, but equally suiting: the Warriors and their fans are finally seeing a glimmer of hope on the horizon.
Stephen Curry fully participated in practice yesterday, and while he is firmly ruled out for tonight’s match, the team is giving early indications that his return is imminent. Yes, they are still calling Curry doubtful on Thursday, but that is a significant step towards an end to this two-month absence. His return isn’t exactly imminent, but Curry is on his way back.
HUZZAH!
But in the meantime…
GAME DETAILS
WHO: Golden State Warriors (36-39) vs San Antonio Spurs (57-18)
WHEN: Wednesday, April 1st, 2026; 7pm PST
WATCH: ESPN (and?) NBCSBA1
Rage against the dying of the light
The odds aren’t great. Golden State is one of the smallest teams in the league, playing without large chunks of their team salary, and attempting to squeeze one or two more dreams out of the cosmos.
I’ve been gone for a bit2 but I come back to a team that is essentially the same, but has developed a few interesting wrinkles. Sure, it would have been nice if the team could have collected more wins, but with only a game and a half between them and the 9th seed, and three games out of 8th, the Warriors aren’t done punching just yet.
Whether it works or not tonight is only of minor consequence - a concern for further down the road. While Curry has been out, this team has been forced to dig deep, to go way beyond any planned contingencies. Butler and Moody done for the season, Curry having missed at least two full consecutive months. Old man Al Horford has been brilliant in spots, but between him and De’Anthony Melton, the wily veterans have been just as notable in their absences as they have been on the court.
But the thing is that with all of the injuries this team has endured, the absences aren’t all that relevant. The measure of success isn’t what it used to be.
Injury report vs Spurs
Butler III, Jimmy Out Injury/Illness - Right ACL; Surgery
Curry, Stephen Out
Horford, Al Out Injury/Illness - Right Soleus; Strain
Melton, De’Anthony Out Injury/Illness - Left Thumb; Strain
Moody, Moses Out, Surgery
Payton II, Gary Questionable
Porzingis, Kristaps Out
Post, Quinten Out
Santos, Gui Questionable: Injury/Illness - Right Pelvic; Contusion
What’s left besides gumption?
Prediction
Hilariously, I’m lucky enough to be going to this game. Warriors win. Nothing makes sense.
Never thought I’d say that I missed cable TV, but here we are. Listing shows both, which feels unlikely to me.
Stockholm for work (and pleasure). Really cool city!