As the Golden State Warriors prepare for the upcoming season with their revamped veteran trio, expectations from both the organization and fans are high. However, the team’s early schedule, featuring several high-stakes matchups, could present significant challenges for a squad aiming to secure a top seed in the competitive Western Conference.
The Warriors are slated for two primetime games against formidable rivals: an opening-night contest against the Los Angeles Lakers and a Christmas Day showdown with the Dallas Mavericks. This demanding start, combined with a difficult draw in the NBA’s in-season tournament, raises concerns that the team could face early setbacks.
These worries are amplified by last season’s inconsistent regular-season performance. The team spent much of the year on the edge of play-in contention and, after a late push for a top spot, fell back into the tournament following critical losses to the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers in the final week.
Last season’s struggles were highlighted by disappointing losses in nationally televised games, including an elimination from the inaugural NBA Cup by the Houston Rockets and a buzzer-beater defeat to the Lakers on Christmas Day.
The upcoming schedule offers no reprieve. The Warriors will once again face the Lakers and Mavericks in marquee holiday games. Furthermore, their group for the in-season tournament is widely considered the toughest in the league. Spanning late October and early November, Golden State will face teams led by Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, and Kevin Durant, as well as the Portland Trail Blazers.
In a loaded Western Conference where every win is vital, this challenging slate of games could be particularly problematic. For a team whose veteran stars will require strategic rest during the regular season, the demanding start revealed so far does not bode well for their campaign to secure a high playoff seed.
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