The 2026 NBA postseason is right around the corner as teams around the association have five or fewer games remaining in the 2025-26 regular season.
The Golden State Warriors look to get their team into form ahead of the postseason following an injury-riddled season that has seen season-ending setbacks to Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, and nagging injuries to Al Horford and Quinten Post.
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On the bright side, the Dubs will welcome back their star guard Stephen Curry who missed the previous 27 games with what the team previously told USA TODAY Sports was “runner’s knee.”
ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported that Curry is expected to play April 4 against the Houston Rockets. With five games remaining in the Warriors’ schedule, Curry’s return is just in the nick of time to get back into basketball shape for a post season run.
Here’s what Golden State’s playoff scenarios could look like:
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Here is who the Warriors face in their five remaining games of the 2025-26 regular season.
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Sunday, April 5: vs. Houston Rockets
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Tuesday, April 7: vs. Sacramento Kings
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Thursday, April 9: vs. Los Angeles Lakers
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Friday, April 10: @ Sacramento Kings
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Sunday, April 12: @ Los Angeles Clippers
How the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament format works
The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament is practically the NBA’s equivalent to MLB and NFL’s wild card round. In this format, the Nos. 7-10 seeds are vying for a playoff berth. The higher seed plays at home throughout the tournament. The No. 7 and 8 seeds play each other, winner is the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. Loser still has a chance for the No. 8-seed.
The No. 9 and 10 seeds play each other in an elimination style game. The winner of the No. 9 vs. 10-seed game plays the loser of the No. 7 and 8 seeds game for the No. 8 and final spot in the playoffs.
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Warriors’ playoff scenarios
The Warriors will play in the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament since they won’t be able to catch the Western Conference’s No. 6 seed before the regular season ends.
The Warriors (36-41) are currently the No. 10 seed in the West and have five games remaining before the postseason begins Tuesday, April 14 with the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament.
Ahead of them, by three games, are the Los Angeles Clippers (39-38) at the No. 9 slot. The Portland Trail Blazers are 40-38, a half game above the Clippers at No. 8. Currently placed at No. 7 are the Phoenix Suns.
If the regular season ended today, the Warriors would go on the road to face the Clippers in an elimination game for a chance at the No. 8-seed.
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If Golden State loses they are eliminated from postseason contention. If they win, they would face the the loser of the No. 7 vs. 8 seed game between the Suns and Blazers for the No. 8 spot.
If the Warriors were to win both play-in games, they would make their 2026 NBA Playoff appearance in the first round against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Golden State Warriors playoffs odds
Here are the Warriors’ playoffs odds, as of Saturday, April 4, courtesy of BetMGM.
Warriors’ playoff chances
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Advance to Western Conference second round (semifinals): +2800
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Advance to Western Conference Finals: +8000
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Win Western Conference Finals: +25000
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Golden State Warriors playoffs scenario: Can they make run with Curry?
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