Injured, out of shape and out of sync, the Warriors are falling backward in the standings ahead of the playoffs. They have six regular-season games left to maintain precarious footing as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, and the path forward isn’t easy.
The final stretch includes three home games — interrupted by a short trip to Sacramento — against the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers that could either solidify that spot or push them into the fourth or fifth seed. Based on recent play, the latter isn’t totally out of the question.
The Warriors have lost three straight and six of their last 10 games, thanks to a deteriorating defense and spotty offense. But this skid is an extension of Golden State’s free fall since starting the season 41-13, exacerbated by Draymond Green’s extended absence and Steph Curry’s recent foot injury.
