Signs of cracks are starting to appear in the Warriors dynasty.
After claiming the NBA championship two seasons ago, the Golden State team failed to make it to the 2024 NBA Playoffs, getting eliminated in the Play-In Tournament. This is only the third time in Steve Kerr’s 10 seasons as head coach that the Warriors will not be making a playoff appearance.
So, what led to this point for Golden State? Over the past two seasons, the franchise has had its fair share of ups and downs, including the tumultuous 2023-24 season.
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How Did the Warriors Transition from NBA Champions to Missing the Playoffs?
June 16, 2022: Warriors Secure Fourth NBA Title in Stephen Curry Era
By defeating the Celtics with a 13-point lead in Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals, Stephen Curry and the Warriors made it clear to the basketball world that their dynasty was far from over. Curry received his first Finals MVP award of his career, putting Golden State back on top of the basketball world.
Oct. 5, 2022: Draymond Green’s Altercation with Jordan Poole
As the Warriors were gearing up for their title defense, reports emerged about an altercation involving Green punching Poole during training camp. After the incident footage surfaced, Green was suspended from the team, leading to internal turmoil within the squad.
Feb. 6, 2023: Stephen Curry’s Injury
With the Warriors barely above .500, Curry sustained injuries to his left leg, forcing him to miss eleven consecutive games. This put their title defense at significant risk.
April 30, 2023: Curry’s Record-Breaking Game and Western Conference Semifinals
As the 6th seed Warriors defeated the 3rd seed Kings in seven games in the first round, Curry’s historic performance with 50 points in Game 7 highlighted their championship pedigree, securing an upset victory.
May 12, 2023: Warriors Eliminated from 2023 NBA Playoffs
Just two weeks later, the Warriors saw their title defense end in defeat at the hands of their rivals, the Lakers, who claimed victory in six games.
May 30, 2023: GM Bob Myers’ Departure After 11 Seasons
An era came to an end as Myers, seen as the mastermind behind the dynasty, decided to leave as his contract expired. The Warriors turned to Mike Dunleavy Jr. to lead the team’s rebuilding efforts.
MORE: Bob Myers explains decision to leave Golden State
July 7, 2023: Warriors Trade Jordan Poole for Chris Paul
Following chemistry issues stemming from the earlier altercation, the Warriors opted for Green by trading Poole to the Wizards in exchange for the veteran Chris Paul. This move came after re-signing Green to a long-term deal.
Nov. 15, 2023: Draymond Green’s Suspension for Rudy Gobert Incident
During the 2023-24 season, Green faced trouble when he received a suspension for an on-court altercation with Gobert, causing him to miss multiple games.
Dec. 14, 2023: Draymond Green’s Suspension Continued for Jusuf Nurkic Incident
After a second suspension for striking Nurkic, Green’s absence created further challenges for the team as they struggled to maintain consistency in his absence.
MORE: What Draymond Green has said about his NBA future
Jan. 17, 2024: NBA Postpones Games Due to Assistant Coach’s Passing
The Warriors faced tragedy as their assistant coach passed away following a heart attack, leading to games being rescheduled to allow the team to grieve and recover.
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 end to the season, Golden State’s efforts were not enough to secure a playoff spot, landing them at the 10th seed in the West.
April 16, 2024: Warriors Eliminated from 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament
Following a significant loss to Sacramento in the Play-In Tournament, the Warriors find themselves missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021, prompting questions about their future.