The Warriors are acting like they will tank NBA play-in tournament

The Golden State Warriors are in a pickle that I do not envy.

Come next year, Steph Curry will begin his age-39 season. An aging Jimmy Butler might still be recovering from a torn ACL. Try as he might to stem the tides of Father Time, an older Draymond Green will probably lose another meaningful step, too. That is, if he'll even be on the Warriors moving forward (he has a player option this summer). All of this would be OK if the Warriors had any young players worthy of becoming a franchise core player in the near future. But they do not. Not even close. As it stands, they don't have much financial flexibility, either, as their current roster, barring any changes, is set to be the most expensive in the NBA next season.

The math here is simple. Unless the Warriors do something drastic and get hit with a random fit of remarkable luck this coming summer, the Steph Curry era is going to end with a whimper. Rest assured, they know it, too.

That's why it kind of seems like Golden State is prepared to halfway tank its upcoming No. 9 vs. No. 10 play-in game against the L.A. Clippers on Wednesday. How else do you explain Steve Kerr claiming that Curry, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porziņģis will all be on a minute restriction? It's a do-or-die game! The Warriors' season is over if they lose. There is no more basketball if they fall short.

What are we talking about here? I don't know about you, but saying this out loud tells me Golden State appears OK with losing in the play-in and getting a ticket, no matter how long the odds are, in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery:

Think about it. If the Warriors cared about making it through the play-in to get to the playoffs, there wouldn't be a discussion about a minute restriction. I don't care about any recent injuries or the age factor. Curry and friends would be emptying the clip without hesitation if they actually wanted to make noise this spring. Full stop.

By entertaining this minute restriction in public, the Warriors are making their designs clear. For one, they clearly don't think they're capable of making a run even if they do make it through the play-in. It's been that kind of trying season. For the other, it's apparent they'd rather take the unlikely shot at winning a chance to draft a potential game-changing prospect in June rather than try their extremely unrealistic hand at pushing someone in a playoff series.

So, why pull out all the stops for the play-in when you can subtly tank it instead? I think the Clippers will probably win straight-up regardless, but why take your chances if you're the Warriors?

Honestly, I think their math adds up. Unless something crazy happens, there is no sensible way these Warriors could even take a game off the Oklahoma City Thunder. Even if they did, they'd still be in the same bleak place for the near future. They likely and quite literally have a better chance at winning the lottery, which is a funny thing to say out loud.

The Warriors don't really want to make the playoffs because they are down so, so bad. They need a draft miracle.

I don't blame them one bit for making this calculation.

Don't take Nikola Jokić for granted

Apr 12, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) awaits the start of a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Do not lose sight of Nikola Jokić's latest accomplishment.

Before this season, no one in recorded NBA history had ever finished a campaign as the leading rebounder and assister. Shoot, no one had ever even done that in separate seasons, let alone in one altogether. But Jokić, a listed 6-foot-11, 284-pound human being, just did. All at once. I say this because we cannot be numb to this achievement. We have decades of basketball evidence to suggest that a top rebounder, usually some giant with slow feet, will not also be such an incredible passer, and vice versa.

Basketball players are not supposed to be elite at both very different skill sets. That's not how it works.

But Jokić makes it work. He is the NBA's best passer and its top rebounder. At the same time. And he will probably do this at least one more time before he hangs his sneakers up. How absurd.

Don't start taking Jokić, the definition of a basketball unicorn, for granted.

Shootaround

• The Spurs tried to have their cake and eat it, too. Instead, they got their faces smashed into the fondant.
• I feel so bad for Tyrese Haliburton. He talked a lot about his struggles from his shingles battle.
• Giannis is still frustrated with the Bucks, but predictably, is keeping one noncommital foot in the door.
• Kendrick Perkins (kind of?) took the high road with Bill Simmons over a Raptors bet.

This was Layup Lines, For the Win's basketball newsletter. Subscribe hereto get it delivered to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Warriors might seriously tank NBA play-in game vs. Clippers