Warriors Eye West Finals Spot as Playoff Push Heats Up

Oakland, California — As the 2024-25 NBA season nears its conclusion, ESPN analyst Tim MacMahon has designated the Golden State Warriors as a strong candidate for the second-best team in the Western Conference.

On Tuesday’s episode of “NBA Today,” MacMahon discussed the Warriors’ potential and how they are positioned to rise in the standings during the final month of the season. “I’m going to go with Golden State here,” he stated. “Obviously, playoff Jimmy [Butler] is a thing because we’ve seen him before. But, more than anything else, Steph Curry last night, Steve Kerr talked about how tired he was.”

Despite Curry’s fatigue, MacMahon noted that both he and Draymond Green have the championship experience needed to compete at a high level. “They have the talent and the pedigree to be the biggest threat to Oklahoma City [Thunder],” MacMahon added.

The Warriors have bolstered their roster this season with the acquisition of forward Jimmy Butler, which has significantly improved their play. However, the depth of the Western Conference poses a considerable challenge as teams vie for playoff positions.

Last Monday, the Warriors faced the Denver Nuggets, currently positioned second in the West, despite their absence of three-time MVP Nikola Jokić. Golden State’s recent performance indicates growth, especially with the contributions of rookie center Quinten Post. Nonetheless, they must effectively reintegrate Jonathan Kuminga into the lineup, as his speed and athleticism could be pivotal against rival teams.

While the Warriors are relying on Butler for consistent offensive output, experts suggest this approach may not suffice against formidable opponents. The team’s bench strength also requires noticeable improvement. One analyst noted, “The same old cliches about the postseason exploits of Butler, Curry, and Green don’t hold up like they used to.”

Whether the Warriors can ultimately secure a spot in the Western Conference Finals remains speculative, but their path forward is riddled with obstacles from formidable teams like the Thunder.