Warriors Get Major Advantage Ahead of Play-In After Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard Announcement

The Golden State Warriors’ 2025-26 regular season has concluded and the play-in tournament is ahead. 

A trying 82-game run for the Dubs has come to an end. From inconsistencies and terrible injuries to downright poor play, it has been a forgettable year. 

The Warriors are limping out of the regular season and into the play-in, which isn’t at all a recipe for success, but it’s how the tables have turned all season. 

GettySALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – FEBRUARY 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

For all intents and purposes, Golden State’s season ended Jan. 13, the night star wingman Jimmy Butler tore his ACL, ending his season and kicking off a long rehab journey. 

Less than two weeks later, star point guard Steph Curry began experiencing pain in his knee and began a lengthy shut down less than a week afterward. 

So has been the theme of the season. 

For all that’s happened, the Warriors’ season isn’t over; in fact, the playoffs can come calling for the Dubs if things continue to shape up the way they have for the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Clippers have been a pleasant midseason surprise after a brutal start, but they’ve cooled off some lately. 

And L.A. is currently battling what Golden State is: a notable injury to its best player. 

Golden State Warriors Could Benefit After Latest Clippers Injury News

After an abysmal 6-21 start, L.A. quickly shifted gears and turned itself into a respectable opponent. 

Powered by Kawhi Leonard’s resurgence and, for a while, James Harden’s floor general mastery, the Clippers started to run the table. But as has been the case in almost each of the last five or six seasons, another ill-timed Leonard injury could sabotage L.A.’s chances to go further. 

According to Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, Leonard has been bothered by multiple injuries. Leonard’s health could be a massive factor in Wednesday’s play-in game between Golden State and L.A. 

“He’s been dealing with some things the last couple weeks with his wrist and with his ankle,” Lue said ahead of the regular season finale, “so we just thought it would be smart just to get him as close to 100% as we can get him.”

While Leonard’s injuries may be more marginal than before, even the smallest ailments can throw a player off kilter, especially during the intensity of a single-elimination game. Leonard’s health will be something for both teams to watch out for as tipoff moves closer.

Dubs Dealing With Troubles of Their Own

Golden State won’t exactly be in total harmony either entering Wednesday’s game.

The Warriors have been arguably the most injury-ravaged team all season. They just kept on coming. What happened to Moses Moody last month in Dallas is a snapshot of Golden State’s 2025-26 season.

Although Curry is back in the lineup, he is still working to return to game speed and conditioning. His minutes restriction has yet to be lifted and there’s no word on how the Warriors will manage Curry’s load in the first play-in game.

Curry missed 27 consecutive games; that’s two-plus months of being forced to sit on the bench in street clothes. In that time, his team failed to win double-digit games. It was a rough watch for the two-time MVP.

After last night’s game, Curry stated he is in a “decent” spot entering the play-in game, which gives fans more reason to worry than hope. 

The Warriors are also trying to work back big men Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis into the lineup. Both players have seen tough stretches with injury. 

L.A. and Golden State have two nights to prepare for Wednesday’s do-or-die. Both teams are desperate and seemingly hanging on by a thread, but only one can hope to drag on this turbulent season at least one game longer. 

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