In the early stages of the NBA season, the Golden State Warriors appear to be on a promising trajectory. With a strong 4-1 record, they are echoing their previous season’s early performance, when they started 5-1. However, last year's initial success quickly faded as the Warriors lost seven of their next eight games, culminating in a disappointing early exit from the Play-In Tournament. This time, they aim for a different outcome.
One of the earliest highlights of the current season is the Warriors' dominant victories against the Portland Trail Blazers and the Utah Jazz. The Warriors set a new NBA record with a combined 77-point margin in these two games, showcasing both their offensive prowess and defensive strength. However, not all has been smooth sailing, as they faced a setback with a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, a game where Stephen Curry exited due to a peroneal strain in his left ankle.
Despite this hiccup, the Warriors have rebounded with consecutive wins against the New Orleans Pelicans. These victories were achieved even though the Pelicans were missing several key players, including Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, and Herb Jones in their second matchup. The Warriors’ performance is underpinned by a defensive rating below 100.0, illustrating their defensive tenacity, a factor that has clearly motivated Draymond Green.
Green expressed his renewed drive and defensive ambition to Tim Kawakami, saying, "Draymond Green has apparently been inspired by the team's defensive prowess, expressing his desire to return to relevancy in the Defensive Player of the Year discussions." This statement not only highlights Green’s individual aspirations but also reflects the team’s collective commitment to defense.
Offensively, the Warriors are continuing to impress. They are leading the league in assists and rank second in the league with an average of 17.6 made 3-pointers per game. Much of this success can be attributed to the remarkable contributions of players like Buddy Hield. Hield has been a standout, contributing over 21 points per game while hitting 50% of his nearly 10 attempts from beyond the arc per game. His sharpshooting adds a vital dimension to the Warriors’ high-octane offense.
Looking ahead, the Warriors face a challenging road ahead with games against Houston, Cleveland, Boston, and Oklahoma City—all teams boasting a combined record of 13-1. These matchups will test the Warriors' resilience and ability to maintain their winning momentum. Upon returning home, the Warriors will have to contend with the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies, adding another layer of competitive pressure.
This season, the Warriors hope to learn from last year’s pitfalls when their record plummeted from a promising 5-1 to a precarious 6-8. The focus is now on building consistency and avoiding a similar decline. While they are armed with a potent combination of defense and sharpshooting, the coming weeks will provide a clearer picture of whether the Warriors can sustain their strong start and solidify their status as true contenders in the NBA.