The Golden State Warriors are staring at a tough road if they want to make the 2026 playoffs. To grab the #8 seed, they need to win two straight games in the play-in tournament. First, they have to get past the #9 LA Clippers. If they manage that, they will then face the loser of the matchup between the #7 Phoenix Suns and the #8 Portland Trail Blazers.
Even that first hurdle against the Clippers already feels challenging, with things getting even more concerning after a recent update from head coach Steve Kerr.
After the final regular-season game, Kerr shared that three key players will be on limited minutes, including Steph Curry. That immediately raised eyebrows among fans who were hoping the team would go all out in a win-or-go-home situation.
“Steve Kerr says that there will be a minutes restriction for Steph Curry, Horford and Porzingis. Says none will play 40 minutes in the do or die play in on Wednesday,” Joseph Dycus wrote on X.
For many in Dub Nation, this felt like a major blow. In a game where everything is on the line, limiting your top players is not what fans expect. Some even saw it as Kerr giving up long before the clash even started.
“Waving the white flag before the game even begins. As he once famously said, “Not chasing wins.”,” @BillWillbourn1 said.
“just say we’re losing on purpose,” @xfertilizrr wrote.
“Kerr’s time as head coach is coming to an end. Season on the line and curry’s on a minute restriction? What a joke,” @o6focus wrote.
“Like can the NBA fine these clowns? Why even waste the play in spot if your not gonna f**kin compete,” @1nonlyakk wrote.
“Forced Curry back early so we can f**k ourselves out of a lottery pick and tank his playoffs stats… makes no sense,” @RookieHigh said.
Steph Curry featured in just 43 games this season, missing a significant stretch because of a runner’s knee injury. Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis also dealt with their own setbacks, with calf and knee issues keeping them sidelined for long periods. As a result, Horford appeared in 45 games, while Porzingis managed only 15.
Steph Curry approaches play-in tournament with positive mindset
The play-in tournament has opened a door for teams that finish 9th or 10th in their conference, teams that normally would not have made the playoffs under the old system. Because of that, Steph Curry is choosing to see it as an opportunity. Even if the chances of advancing are slim, there is still a chance, and he is choosing to be positive about it.
“I guess (we are) grateful for it now,” Curry said. “You have one game and hopefully another to keep your season alive. This is such a unique year just because of the way it’s gone. It’s not like we under performed, we have just been hit with so many injuries.”
Curry’s return to action hasn’t exactly brought the spark the Warriors were hoping for. After being sidelined for over eight weeks following his injury on Jan. 30 against Detroit, he’s only managed to play four games so far in April. In that short stretch, he’s put up 19.0 points per game while playing limited minutes, around 26 per night.
The team has lost three of those games, and it’s clear he’s still working his way back into rhythm. As the play-in approaches, it raises some real concerns, especially since the Warriors haven’t had many players step up consistently in his absence.
Read More: 2026 NBA Play-in Tournament: Bracket, Schedule, TV Details, Time, Date and More
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