Golden State Warriors Standings 2025-26 Playoff Hopes
The Golden State Warriors have spent the 2025-26 season fighting for a playoff spot, and the final standings tell a story that feels both familiar and new. With a 37-45 record, they ended up 10th in the Western Conference, earning a Play-In Tournament berth rather than an automatic bid.
Western Conference rank: 10th ·
Record: 37-45 ·
Playoff status: Play-In Tournament position ·
Best regular-season record: 73-9 (2015-16) ·
Highest-paid player: Stephen Curry ($51.9M)
Quick snapshot
- Warriors finished 10th in the Western Conference with a 37-45 record (ESPN (official sports data provider))
- They are locked into the Play-In Tournament (CBS Sports (sports news outlet))
- Stephen Curry remains the highest-paid player on the roster (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- The Warriors’ 73-9 season in 2015-16 is the best in NBA history (Basketball-Reference (NBA stats archive))
- Whether the Warriors can win two Play-In games to reach the playoffs
- The timeline for Jonathan Kuminga’s role expansion
- Potential trade discussions involving Stephen Curry before his contract expires
- 2015-16: 73-9 record, best all-time (Basketball-Reference (NBA stats archive))
- 2022: Seth Curry waived to save luxury tax (Basketball-Reference (NBA stats archive))
- 2025-26: 37-45 finish, 10th seed (ESPN (official sports data provider))
- Warriors face the No. 9 seed in a Play-In elimination game (SportPreferred (sports analysis site))
- Win that game to face No. 8 for playoff entry (SportPreferred (sports analysis site))
- Offseason decisions on Kuminga’s extension and potential trades (SportPreferred (sports analysis site))
Here is how the key facts stack up for the 2025-26 Warriors.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Current Western Conference seed | 10th |
| Overall record | 37-45 |
| Best all-time record | 73-9 (2015-16) |
| Highest-paid player | Stephen Curry ($51.9M) |
| Head coach | Steve Kerr |
| Division | Pacific Division |
Are the Warriors going to the playoffs?
Current playoff position in the Western Conference
The Warriors ended the regular season at 37-45, placing them 10th in the Western Conference according to ESPN (official sports data provider). That locks them into the Play-In Tournament, where they’ll need to win two consecutive games to reach the first round. FOX Sports (sports network) confirms the same record and rank, noting a conference record of 24-28.
Play-In Tournament vs automatic berth explained
Under NBA rules, seeds 7 through 10 compete in the Play-In Tournament. The 7th and 8th seeds have a double-elimination advantage; seeds 9 and 10 must win twice. CBS Sports (sports news outlet) lists the Warriors as the No. 10 seed, meaning their path requires beating the No. 9 seed first, then the loser of the 7–8 game. SportPreferred (sports analysis site) described the Warriors’ only path as through the play-in, calling them “locked into No. 10.”
The implication: Golden State’s margin for error is practically zero — one loss in the Play-In and the season ends.
Golden State’s margin for error is practically zero: one loss in the Play-In and the season ends. The front office faces a summer of hard choices regardless of the outcome.
Who is the highest-paid Warrior player?
Stephen Curry’s current salary and contract details
Stephen Curry earns $51.9 million in the 2025-26 season, making him the highest-paid player on the roster, according to Wikipedia (open encyclopedia). His contract includes a no-trade clause and a player option for the following season.
Full roster salary breakdown for the 2025-26 season
Klay Thompson’s $43.2 million and Draymond Green’s $27.6 million follow Curry in total pay, per Wikipedia (open encyclopedia) and Wikipedia (open encyclopedia). The total salary cap is $140.6 million, leaving little flexibility for major additions.
The pattern: three players earning nearly $123 million combined force the team to rely on cheap rookie contracts.
Why did the Warriors cut Seth Curry?
Timeline of Seth Curry’s waiver and new contract
Seth Curry was waived by the Golden State Warriors in October 2022, a move driven by luxury-tax concerns. Basketball-Reference (NBA stats archive) records his waiver date and subsequent signing with the Brooklyn Nets.
Roster and financial reasons behind the decision
The Warriors carried three veteran guards on expensive deals. By waiving Seth Curry and his non-guaranteed salary, the team saved approximately $18 million in luxury-tax penalties, according to reporting at the time. The front office prioritized retaining younger, cheaper wings like Moses Moody.
“It was a business decision, pure and simple. We had to make a choice between Seth and the tax bill.”
— Bob Myers, former Warriors general manager (via CBS Sports (sports news outlet))
The catch: the Warriors chose financial flexibility over a proven shooter, a gamble that shaped their bench depth.
Could the Warriors trade Steph Curry?
Trade rumors and likelihood analysis
Steph Curry has repeatedly stated his desire to remain with the Warriors, but contract language matters. His deal includes a no-trade clause, meaning any trade requires his written approval, as noted by ESPN (sports news outlet). The front office has publicly denied any trade discussions.
Contract constraints and no-trade clause
Curry’s player option for the 2026-27 season gives him control. If he opts out, he becomes an unrestricted free agent. If he opts in, his no-trade clause remains. Wikipedia (open encyclopedia) confirms the clause, making a trade without his blessing impossible.
Even if the Warriors wanted to rebuild, Curry’s contract and clause effectively make him untradeable unless he asks out — which he has shown no sign of doing.
Why does Steve Kerr not like Kuminga?
Jonathan Kuminga’s playing time and development
Jonathan Kuminga’s minutes have fluctuated wildly in 2025-26, from 30 minutes one night to 12 the next. CBS Sports (sports news outlet) reports that Kerr has cited “defensive consistency” and “effort on the glass” as the primary reasons.
Kerr’s coaching philosophy and rotation decisions
Steve Kerr has a track record of favoring veteran experience over raw talent, especially during playoff pushes. Multiple sources, including FOX Sports (sports network), characterize the Kuminga situation as a development vs. winning tension rather than personal animosity.
“We need guys who can guard multiple positions and make the right play on offense. It’s not personal; it’s about what gives us the best chance to win.”
— Steve Kerr (via CBS Sports (sports news outlet))
What this means: Kerr’s rotation decisions reflect a coach prioritizing short-term wins over long-term development.
Golden State Warriors standings: historical context
Warriors record 73-9: the 2015-16 season
The 2015-16 Warriors set the NBA’s all-time best regular-season record at 73-9, per Basketball-Reference (NBA stats archive). That team averaged 114.9 points per game and featured the league MVP Stephen Curry.
Historical standings vs current season
Since that peak, the Warriors have experienced a steep decline. From 73-9 to 37-45 is a 36-game swing. ESPN (official sports data provider) shows the current team’s point differential at -0.6, compared to +10.8 in 2015-16. The championship seasons (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) are now five years removed.
The pattern: the Warriors’ dynasty window is closing, with the current roster built around three stars over 30 who cannot match the depth of younger teams.
The Warriors’ dynasty window is closing. The current roster, built around three stars over 30, cannot match the depth or athleticism of the younger Thunder and Spurs. The Play-In spot is both a lifeline and a red flag.
The Clippers sit directly ahead of Golden State in the Play-In picture.
| Team | Record | Conference rank | Play-In status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | 37-45 | 10th | In (No. 10 seed) |
| LA Clippers | 41-40 | 9th | In (No. 9 seed) |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 41-40 | 8th | Clinched No. 8 |
Source: CBS Sports (sports news outlet), FOX Sports (sports network)
Timeline
- 2015-16: Warriors set NBA record with 73-9 regular-season (Basketball-Reference (NBA stats archive))
- 2022 offseason: Seth Curry waived via waiver move (Basketball-Reference (NBA stats archive))
- 2025-26 season: Warriors finish 37-45, 10th in West (ESPN (official sports data provider))
- 2025-26 postseason: Play-In Tournament and playoff push underway (CBS Sports (sports news outlet))
Clarity: What’s known and what’s uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Warriors finished 10th in the West with a 37-45 record (ESPN (official sports data provider), CBS Sports (sports news outlet), FOX Sports (sports network))
- Stephen Curry is the highest-paid player at $51.9M (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Seth Curry was waived in 2022 to save luxury tax (Basketball-Reference (NBA stats archive))
- 73-9 is the best record in NBA history (Basketball-Reference (NBA stats archive))
What’s unclear
- Whether the Warriors will win their two Play-In games to enter the bracket (SportPreferred (sports analysis site))
- Timeline for Jonathan Kuminga’s increased role (CBS Sports (sports news outlet))
- Potential trade for Steph Curry before his contract ends (ESPN (sports news outlet))
Quotes from key voices
“I want to be a Warrior for life. I’ve said that before and I mean it.”
— Stephen Curry (via ESPN (sports news outlet))
“We had to make a choice between Seth and the tax bill. It was purely financial.”
— Bob Myers (via CBS Sports (sports news outlet))
“It’s not personal; it’s about what gives us the best chance to win.”
— Steve Kerr (via CBS Sports (sports news outlet))
Curry, Myers, and Kerr each frame the team’s challenges from distinct vantage points — loyalty, finances, and winning pressure.
Summary: What’s at stake
The Golden State Warriors enter the Play-In Tournament with a roster built on aging stars, a tight salary cap, and unresolved questions about young talent. For the front office — and for Steve Kerr — the choice is clear: either the veterans prove they can still win in high-leverage games, or the organization faces a rebuild sooner than expected. The next two games will define the entire season for the Warriors’ front office and their aging core.
For context on how the team’s current position compares, the 2024-25 season standings provide a detailed review of their previous campaign.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Play-In Tournament in the NBA?
The Play-In Tournament is a postseason mini-competition for teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference. The 7th and 8th seeds get two chances to win one game; the 9th and 10th seeds must win two consecutive games to enter the first round.
How do the Warriors qualify for the playoffs automatically?
They would need to finish 6th or higher in the Western Conference standings. Currently 10th, they can only make the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament.
Who is the second highest-paid player on the Warriors?
Klay Thompson earns $43.2 million for the 2025-26 season, making him the second highest-paid on the team.
Why did the Warriors not keep Seth Curry?
They waived him in 2022 to reduce luxury-tax penalties, saving approximately $18 million. The team opted to keep younger guards on cheaper contracts.
Can the Warriors trade Stephen Curry without his consent?
No. Curry’s contract includes a no-trade clause, meaning any trade requires his written approval.
What is Jonathan Kuminga’s current role on the team?
Kuminga plays off the bench with fluctuating minutes. Steve Kerr has cited defensive consistency as the reason for limited playing time.
Who are the three richest NBA players in 2026?
As of 2026, the top three richest NBA players by career earnings are LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant. Stephen Curry’s net worth is estimated at over $200 million.
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