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After failing to win back-to-back championships this season, the Golden State Warriors could avenge their second-round exit by taking home the NBA In-Season Tournament trophy. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Chris Paul and the rest of the Warriors are hungry to prove that they still have it. What better way to do that than win a high-stakes tournament like the NBA's newest project?
The 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament will take place early in the regular season. The Warriors belong in the West Group C along with the Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Golden State's Group Play games include hosting the Timberwolves (November 14) and the Spurs (November 24) at Chase Center, and two games on the road against Oklahoma City (November 3) and Sacramento (November 28).
Winning the In-Season Tournament has no influence on the Warriors' chances of claiming back their throne atop the NBA, so that alone might not motivate them as much. Of course, winning the NBA Finals is still the ultimate goal. Given the circumstances, there are reasons to believe that the Warriors will not emerge as the last team standing in the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament.
3. The Warriors are in the toughest group in the West
It's arguable and it may be dependent on the health of all teams when the In-Season Tournament takes place. But nonetheless, on paper, the Warriors are in the toughest group in the Western Conference. Group A consists of the Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, LA Lakers, Utah Jazz, and Portland Trail Blazers, while Group B has the Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets.
Including the Warriors, their group has a total of three playoff teams with Minnesota and Sacramento. Plus, they also have a potential play-in team in Oklahoma City with them, as well as an exciting young team in San Antonio with Victor Wembanyama. With that, the Warriors may not even emerge out of their group in the In-Season Tournament.
The Kings are hungry to prove itself after falling to Golden State in their classic seven-game series during the 2023 playoffs. Anthony Edwards also has his sights set on the the Warriors and may be more motivated to take them down. Given their impeccable run over the past decade, Golden State will definitely have a target on its back.
2. Golden State will still need to integrate Chris Paul
The Warriors will still need to integrate Chris Paul. That means it may take time for them to fully develop their chemistry with their newly-acquired future Hall of Fame point guard. With the NBA In-Season Tournament taking place early in the campaign, Golden State may not look as sharp when it happens during the first couple of months of the season.
There have been questions regarding where Paul fits within the Warriors' motion-heavy offense. CP3 is used to having the ball in hands and running a ton of pick-and-roll. But Warriors head coach Steve Kerr employs a system predicated on ball and people movement and “organized chaos” as some people would describe.
Still, the Warriors are confident they will figure out it in terms of adding Paul into the mix. They know his acumen and he has made every franchise he's been with better. Kerr has said the 12-time All-Star addresses a need in terms of having another playmaker, while Draymond Green believes his new teammate will add more variety to their offense. Regardless, figuring it out may take some time and the Warriors might not have enough time with the NBA In-Season Tournament being held close to the start of the season.
1. There are a few teams better than the Warriors
Let's begin with the defending champion Denver Nuggets, who have the second-best odds to win the NBA In-Season Tournament. The Boston Celtics, who do have the best odds, are also arguably better with the depth they added this offseason. The Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns come next, before the Warriors, who are at fifth at +1,200 to win the entire thing.
The team with the sixth-best odds, the Los Angeles Lakers, may even have their number if ever they do square off in this tournament. Los Angeles knocked off Golden State — and convincingly, too — during the second round with an emphatic Game 6 win to dethrone the then-reigning champs.
On the flipside, that doesn't mean Golden State does not have a chance to win. The NBA In-Season Tournament employs a one-game knockout format. As such, catching Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson on a heater during those nights could be favorable for the Bay Area squad.
Nonetheless, the road is still difficult. For a team that is aging and is more concerned on getting to postseason healthy and whole, they may not be motivated to go as hard in a tournament that won't necessarily hang the banner of banners at Chase Center.
