The Splash Brothers broke up this offseason. Are the Warriors still suited to make the playoffs?
The golden (no pun intended) era of the Golden State Warriors directly coincided with the darkest of days for the Knicks. Their first title in 2014-15 was the same year the Knicks lost a franchise-worst 65 games. Their last Finals appearance with Kevin Durant was in the other 65-loss season. Even their fourth title came in the worst year of the Tom Thibodeau and Leon Rose Era. When the Warriors are good, it’s usually bad news for the Knicks. The Knicks have made the playoffs in four of the past five seasons where the Warriors didn’t, which is also odd.
After an unceremonious play-in loss last year, the window appears to be closing fast for the ex-dynasty. Do they have another run in them?
Knicks’ Record vs Golden State in 2023-24: 1-1
- February 29, 2024: Warriors won 110-99
- March 18, 2024: Knicks won 119-112
These games could not have started any differently.
The shorthanded Knicks hosted the Warriors on Leap Day without Mitchell Robinson, Julius Randle, or OG Anunoby on National TV. They proceeded to endure the worst start imaginable, falling behind 14-0 and 20-4. They were being embarrassed. They got it down to five a couple of times in the fourth, but they dug themselves too large of a hole early, as Steph Curry dropped 31 points and 11 rebounds (with eight threes), while Josh Hart had a colorful 14-18-7 statline.
Three weeks later, on the West Coast, the Knicks returned the favor on ESPN. Despite being similarly shorthanded, the Knicks flipped the script by jumping out to an early 20-6 lead. The Knicks maintained a double-digit lead for much of the night until the home team’s late comeback. Great defense down the stretch helped the ‘Bockers hold off the Dubs. Brunson did Brunson things with 34, but it was Deuce McBride catching absolute fire with a 29-point shredding of the Warriors’ defense.
Knicks/Warriors 2024-25 Schedule:
- Tues, Mar 4, 2025: Warriors @ Knicks (TNT)
- Sat, Mar 15, 2025: Knicks @ Warriors (ABC)
Like last year, both meetings are very close to each other, and both are on National TV. Rejoice, all, as the game in Golden State is at 8:30 and not 10 PM.
Golden State’s Offseason Moves
In:
Buddy Hield (free agency)
Kyle Anderson (free agency)
De’Anthony Melton (free agency)
Lindy Waters III (trade)
Out:
Klay Thompson (Mavericks)
Chris Paul (Spurs)
Dario Saric (Nuggets)
The Splash Bros Era has ended. Klay Thompson leaves Golden State after a rocky road since the fourth title in 2022. 40-year-old and future Hall of Famer Chris Paul is too. Hield and Anderson were part of an infamous six-team super sign-and-trade and the team also scooped up Melton from Philly, who one Sixers fan claimed was a more important absence in the playoffs than Julius Randle.
Projected Starters
PG: Stephen Curry (GSW) / Jalen Brunson (NYK)
SG: Andrew Wiggins (GSW) / Mikal Bridges (NYK)
SF: Jonathan Kuminga (GSW) / Josh Hart (NYK)
PF: Draymond Green (GSW) / OG Anunoby (NYK)
C: Trayce Jackson-Davis (GSW) / Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK)
Steve Kerr likes to get creative with his lineups. I wouldn’t be shocked if I got multiple positions wrong. He could go Draymond as a small ball big and start Buddy Hield. Moses Moody, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II will all get starts with the inevitable injuries.
Knicks’ Predicted Record vs Golden State this season: 1-1
Absolutely could see the Knicks go 2-0 here. They’re absolutely the better team and have shown they can win out west. I’m being realistic here, considering the possibility of a Curry explosion at MSG (they tend to happen from time to time) or a slip-up on the West Coast.