Curry, Green Sit Out Warriors' Finale Before Playoffs

The Golden State Warriors closed out their regular season on a high note, securing a 123-116 victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday. However, the real focus was on the upcoming play-in tournament, as head coach Steve Kerr opted to rest his star players, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, ahead of their crucial matchup against the Sacramento Kings.

Kerr’s decision to sit Curry and Green was a calculated move, aimed at preserving their energy for the high-stakes play-in game on Tuesday. With the Warriors holding the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference, they’ll need to be at their best to secure a coveted playoff spot.

“[Curry] could play. If he had to play, he would be playing,” Kerr explained before the game. “Given what we are facing, it made no sense to put him out there today. We’re hoping that we’ve got three games this week, so getting a rest today, getting time to recover before that first play-in game, that’s much more important.”

The Warriors’ road to the postseason has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by injuries, lineup changes, and the ever-present challenge of integrating new pieces into the championship-caliber core. Despite the adversities, Curry and Green have remained the driving force behind the team’s resilience, leading by example and instilling a sense of belief in their teammates.

As the playoffs loom, the Warriors are no strangers to the pressure of high-stakes games. Their experience and pedigree, coupled with the return of key players like Gary Payton II, who missed his third consecutive game with a left calf strain, could prove invaluable in their quest for another deep postseason run.

Fans and pundits alike will be keeping a close eye on the play-in tournament, where the Warriors will face off against the Kings in a winner-take-all battle for the final playoff spot. With Curry and Green well-rested and the team rallying around their veteran leadership, the Warriors are poised to make a statement and remind the league of their championship pedigree.

The path to the NBA Finals is never an easy one, but the Warriors have embraced the challenge head-on. As the postseason unfolds, fans can expect nothing less than a thrilling display of skill, grit, and the unwavering pursuit of greatness that has defined this dynastic franchise.