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NBA Playoffs 2021: Breaking down Golden State Warriors Seeding Scenarios

The Golden State Warriors are arguably one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the NBA. They might not have the star power they had two years ago, but with the likes of Steph Curry and Draymond Green, the Dubs have remained a rather competitive side.

After the 2019-20 season where the Dubs were ravaged by injuries, everyone was eager to see what this Warriors’ team could do. With the imminent return of Klay Thompson and Steph Curry, the Dubs looked like the dark horse of the Western Conference.

Warriors' Kelly Oubre Jr.
Feb 4, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

But just before the season started, the Dubs were in for a rough ride as Klay Thompson suffered from yet another season ending injury. With Thompson out of the roster, the Dubs were forced to add a new two-way guard in Kelly Oubre Jr. Led by Curry and Green and a new look roster, the Dubs were seen as a wildcard.

Golden State Warriors this season

The Warriors have truly lived up to their wildcard tag this season. With scoring talents like Klay and Kevin Durant missing from the team, the Dubs have relied heavily upon the offensive talent of Curry.

All this pressure has truly brought the best out of Curry as he is averaging a monstrous 31.8 points, 5.7 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game. He is also leading the league in scoring and is headed for the second scoring title of his career.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry
Mar 17, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks on during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato/POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports

The Dubs initially stuck around to the sixth spot in the West but then eventually slipped to the play-in spots as teams like the Nuggets started getting back in form.

With Curry firing on all cylinders, the Dubs stayed afloat in the top 8 but then Curry suffered a terrible back injury. The Dubs struggled massively with their talisman’s absence from the team, losing four games in a row.

Their massive dip in form resulted in the Dubs falling all the way down to the tenth spot in the Western Conference. But the Dubs have come roaring back. In their last 20 games, they have a record of 14 wins and only 6 losses.

Meanwhile, Curry has averaged a whopping 36.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in this time period. The Warriors are looking like a dangerous matchup for anyone in the play-in tournament.

Where can the Dubs end up at the end of the regular season?

With a record of 37 wins and 33 losses, the Dubs have now qualified for the play in tournament, but their seeding is still unclear and may go down to the wire.

They are tied with the Grizzlies, who have the same record, and with their last game coming up against Memphis, it will be fascinating to see where the Dubs end up.

Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry and Draymond Green of Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors forward Kent Bazemore (26) and forward Juan Toscano-Anderson (95) and guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Draymond Green (23) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

If they end up on the eighth spot, they will be headed for a game against the champions or the red hot Blazers and if at all they lose, they will get another opportunity to battle for the eighth spot in the West.

But it will be much more difficult for the Dubs if they drop down to the ninth spot as they will have to win two games to make it to the playoffs. Where do you think the Warriors will end up?

The post NBA Playoffs 2021: Breaking down Golden State Warriors Seeding Scenarios appeared first on EssentiallySports.