Harrison Barnes, a former Golden State Warrior, delivered a devastating blow to his old team on Wednesday night. Now playing for the San Antonio Spurs, Barnes hit a last-second, off-balance three-pointer to secure a shocking win at Chase Center. The Warriors, now at 47-33, find themselves in seventh place in the Western Conference standings, with their playoff chances on the line.
Warriors Face Setback in Playoff Race
The Golden State Warriors came into Wednesday’s game riding high with a 21-3 record when both Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler played together. But despite their strong form, the Spurs, without star players Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, weren’t expected to pose much of a threat. However, Barnes made sure to spoil the Warriors’ night with his dramatic buzzer-beater.
Barnes, who was a part of the Warriors’ 2015 championship team, stunned the home crowd in San Francisco with his clutch performance. The game had been tight, but the Warriors held a 12-point lead entering the fourth quarter. Yet, the Spurs made a quick comeback, cutting the deficit and keeping the game within reach. As the game neared its final moments, Barnes took the shot that would change everything, leaving the Warriors in shock.
Warriors’ Playoff Chances in Jeopardy
The loss drops the Warriors to seventh place in the Western Conference standings, just behind the Memphis Grizzlies, who sit at 47-32. The Warriors are now in danger of being forced into a play-in game, a situation that was far from expected just a few days ago. With only two regular-season games remaining, Golden State faces an uphill battle to secure a spot in the first round of the playoffs.
Playoff Picture Heating Up
With the playoff race intensifying, the Western Conference remains incredibly competitive. The Oklahoma City Thunder (66-14) and the Houston Rockets (52-28) have locked down the top two spots, but the race for positions 3 through 8 remains a tight contest. The Los Angeles Lakers, currently in third place at 49-31, stayed a game ahead with a win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. The Nuggets (48-32) and Clippers (48-32) are close behind, with both teams recording victories.
The Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves were off on Wednesday, but both teams are still in the mix, with just half a game separating them from the Warriors. With only two games left, the Warriors will need to secure victories to avoid falling into the play-in tournament.
Western Conference Standings (As of April 9)
- Oklahoma City Thunder – 66-14
- Houston Rockets – 52-28 (14 games back)
- Los Angeles Lakers – 49-31 (17 GB)
- Denver Nuggets – 48-32 (18 GB)
- Los Angeles Clippers – 48-32 (18 GB)
- Memphis Grizzlies – 47-32 (18.5 GB)
- Golden State Warriors – 47-33 (19 GB)
- Minnesota Timberwolves – 46-33 (19.5 GB)
- Sacramento Kings – 39-41 (27 GB)
- Dallas Mavericks – 38-42 (28 GB)
What’s Next for the Warriors?
With their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, the Warriors now face a crucial stretch of games. They must win at least one of their final two games to stay out of the play-in scenario and secure a spot in the first round. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies, Timberwolves, and Clippers will be battling for position as well, with every game potentially altering the playoff seeding.
The Warriors’ loss to the Spurs also marked a pivotal moment for the entire Western Conference. With only a few days left in the regular season, teams like the Lakers, Nuggets, and Clippers are jockeying for position, while others—like the Warriors—are fighting to avoid falling into the chaotic play-in tournament.
As the regular season wraps up, every win and loss will have massive implications for the Warriors and the rest of the Western Conference. The race to the playoffs has never been tighter, and Golden State must quickly regroup if they hope to avoid a sudden end to their playoff aspirations.
