Cracks are showing in the Warriors dynasty.
Two seasons after standing at the mountaintop as NBA champions, Golden State failed to qualify for the 2024 NBA Playoffs after being eliminated from the Play-In Tournament. This marks just the third time in Steve Kerr’s 10 seasons at the helm that the Warriors will not reach the playoffs.
How did Golden State get here? The franchise has experienced its fair share of highs and lows over the past two seasons, including the whirlwind of 2023-24.
MORE: Klay Thompson’s free agency headlines Warriors’ offseason
How Warriors went from NBA title to Play-In loss
June 16, 2022: Warriors capture fourth NBA title of Stephen Curry era
With a 13-point win over the Celtics in Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals, Stephen Curry and the Warriors told the basketball world that the dynasty wasn’t over. Curry was named Finals MVP for the first time in his career. Golden State was back atop the basketball world.
Oct. 5, 2022: Draymond Green punches Jordan Poole
As the Warriors prepared for their title defense, reports first surfaced that Green punched Poole in an altercation during training camp. After video of the incident came to light, Green was suspended from the team and internal unrest loomed as a dark cloud over the team.
Feb. 6, 2023: Stephen Curry misses first of 11 consecutive games with left leg injury
With the Warriors just one game above .500, Curry suffered partial tears to his superior tibiofibular ligaments and interosseus membrane and a contusion to his lower leg. Curry would miss a month of action, putting Golden State’s title defense in serious jeopardy.
April 30, 2023: Stephen Curry sets record, Warriors advance to Western Conference semifinals
The No. 6 seed Warriors bested the No. 3 seed Kings in seven games in the opening round. In Game 7, championship DNA was on display. Curry set a then-Game 7 record with 50 points and Golden State completed the upset with a 20-point win.
May 12, 2023: Warriors eliminated from 2023 NBA Playoffs
Two weeks later, the Warriors saw their title defense come to an end at the hands of their rivals. The Lakers entered as the No. 7 seed, one spot lower than Golden State, but won the series in six games.
May 30, 2023: GM Bob Myers leaves after 11 seasons
The end of an era. Myers, who was viewed as the architect of the dynasty, opted to depart as his contract ended. With Myers moving on from his executive position, the Warriors turned to Mike Dunleavy Jr. to rebuild the team.
MORE: Bob Myers explains decision to leave Golden State
July 7, 2023: Warriors trade Jordan Poole to Wizards for Chris Paul
After chemistry issues stemming from the early-season incident, Golden State effectively chose Green by parting ways with Poole. Days earlier, the franchise re-signed Green to a four-year deal and then moved Poole to Washington, acquiring an 18-year veteran in Paul in return.
Nov. 15, 2023: Draymond Green suspended for Rudy Gobert incident
Early in the 2023-24 season, trouble found Green. As tempers flared between Minnesota and Golden State, Green was at the center, ultimately earning a five-game suspension for placing his arm around Gobert’s neck.
Dec. 14, 2023: Draymond Green suspended for Jusuf Nurkic strike
After Green was reinstated, he found himself in the center of more trouble. Green was assessed a Flagrant 2 for striking Nurkic in the face and would be suspended indefinitely due to his history of unsportsmanlike acts. Green’s absence spanned over a month and he missed 16 games. Golden State went 8-8 in that span.
MORE: What Draymond Green has said about his NBA future
Jan. 17, 2024: NBA postpones games following death of Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic
Tragedy struck the Warriors franchise as their assistant coach passed after complications from a heart attack suffered during a team outing in Salt Lake City on a road trip to face the Jazz. The Warriors returned home and had games moved in order to process the tragedy.
MORE: How Warriors paid tribute to fallen assistant coach
April 14, 2024: Warriors finish 10th in Western Conference with 46-36 record
Despite a strong finish to the season, Golden State faced an uphill battle to qualify for the NBA Playoffs and fell to the West’s 10th seed.
April 16, 2024: Warriors eliminated from 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament
Questions loom around Golden State’s immediate and distant future after a 24-point loss to Sacramento in the Play-In Tournament. The Warriors fell short of the NBA Playoffs for the first time since losing twice in the 2021 NBA Play-In Tournament.
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