By Kwame Bediako
The future of the Golden State Warriors’ core led by Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and coach Steve Kerr is now in serious doubt after the team failed to reach the 2026 NBA playoffs. That followed a 111–96 defeat to the Phoenix Suns in the final NBA Play‑In Tournament game, which ended the Warriors’ season after they had earlier beaten the Los Angeles Clippers.
Curry’s roller‑coaster finish
After a scorching 35‑point outburst in 36 minutes against the Clippers, Curry labored for rhythm against the Suns, finishing with just 17 points on 3‑of‑10 shooting from beyond the arc. The Warriors showed brief signs of a comeback late in the game, but Phoenix’s defense shut down the usually lethal Golden State offense, leaving the organization to confront the reality of a non‑playoff season.
Kerr floats an exit
Steve Kerr, who has guided the Warriors to four NBA titles, hinted postgame that his tenure with the franchise might be nearing its end. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I still love coaching, but I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date,” he said. Emphasizing the natural cycle of reboots, Kerr added that when a championship run ends, “sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas.”
Core under the microscope
With Kerr’s contract situation uncertain and the team’s age‑forth core now missing the playoffs, questions loom over Curry and Green’s long‑term roles in Golden State. Draymond Green has previously argued that the run with Curry and Kerr isn’t “done,” but the defeat to Phoenix may force the franchise to weigh whether to pivot to a younger roster or double‑down on one last push.
What’s next for the Warriors
The Warriors’ early exit from the 2026 postseason makes this summer a critical crossroads. The organization must decide whether to keep the current core intact, overhaul the roster around Curry, or even begin a full rebuild, setting the stage for a major shift in the team’s identity beyond the legendary “Splash‑Brothers” era.
