Warriors' next 20 games could make or break their perplexing 2025-26 NBA season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – There is no betting line, as far as we know, on whether this season’s Warriors can assemble their puzzle pieces, outgrow their inconsistencies and rumble into mid-April as a legitimate NBA championship threat.

If there were such a line, the action would be heavy. Because, 25 games into their NBA season, the Warriors remain among the league’s most perplexing squads.

The next 20 games, beginning Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, should offer a measure of clarity.

Of the Warriors’ next 20 games, 14 are at Chase Center, including an eight-game homestand in mid-January. This is a platinum opportunity to build the kind of momentum that thus far has been elusive.

After closing a three-game road trip with consecutive wins – without Stephen Curry, without full availability of Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler III – the league’s road-weariest team has allowed itself two full days of recovery, followed by two practices that were considered productive and helpful.

Curry, who missed the last three games, practiced both days and is set to return Friday. Butler practiced and is itching for wins. De’Anthony Melton made his season debut on the road and looked like a significant in-season acquisition.

The road trip, according to Curry, offered a glimpse of what’s needed to escape that mediocrity that comes fighting to stay above .500.

“Just playing good basketball, making simple plays, getting organized offensively, that’s what I saw the last three games,” Curry said, including a one-point loss at Philadelphia. “Even after those two rough first quarters we had in Philly and Cleveland, it was getting the ball moving, trying to create advantages, where guys were attacking closeouts, taking advantage of spacing. It seemed like we were just a little bit more organized, even though they weren’t necessarily play calls. It was, if you’re open, shoot it. If you have a driving angle, take it. Get off it. The ball just had energy.

“I know when I’m out there, I try to create the same type of actions. And then you just want guys playing with confidence. And that was what it ended up being like in Chicago.”

The Warriors were exceptional in Chicago, earning their first tip-to-buzzer triumph of the season. The Bulls, however, are in a skid, having lost their last seven games.

Which is why it’s prudent for the Warriors to be cautious when looking ahead. They have alternated between being very good and downright dreadful. They are sitting at 13-12 because they’ve offset some quality wins (at Lakers, Nuggets, at Spurs twice) with perplexing losses (at Pacers, at Kings, Blazers home and away).

And that road trip went through the Eastern Conference, which is appreciably weaker than the West.

The Next 20 begins with four games against Western Conference teams, two of which – the Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns – are above Golden State in the standings. Anything less than 3-1 would have to be profoundly unsatisfying and would pause, if not halt, momentum.

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