The Golden State Warriors were not branded as title contenders heading into the 2025-26 season. Many people within the NBA community expected them to be competitive and potentially contend for a title if all goes well.
Most people entered the 2025-26 season with the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder as favorites to win. These teams have great core groups, and the same can be said for the Golden State Warriors.
People were complaining about the Warriors’ age, as their main roster is made up of players over 32 years old. Basketball is considered a youth sport, as age can be an important factor. Despite being told their chances of winning a title are closed, the Warriors are ready to keep fighting.
In fact, former NBA champion turned TV analyst Kendrick Perkins has high hopes for the Warriors. He even listed them as favorites, especially after the Warriors’ wins over the Nuggets and Thunder, which were all hyped.
The core group of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and Al Horford may be older, but they are ready to compete. Perkins had nothing but praise for the Warriors after the Warriors’ big win over the Nuggets thanks to Horford’s strong performance. For a team that had high expectations for the season, they did a good job of seizing their chances.
Growing up in the Western Conference is difficult, but the Warriors know what it takes to stand out. Coach Steve Kerr’s team has exceeded expectations with what they’ve accomplished early on and is poised to potentially take advantage of the small slot the Warriors are operating in.
Perkins sees the Warriors’ potential for success because he knows how they work. He didn’t brand them as favorites. He likes their chances of winning a title if given the opportunity.
“The Warriors are a sleeper for me to win everything. Determination, desire, will. Last night, Stephen Curry, the green-eyed, white-skinned brother, for three and a half quarters, I thought Denver was going to ultimately pull away in this game,” Perkins said on NBA Today.
“If he steps up and does something to overshadow Aaron Gordon’s historic night, 50 points. (Nikola) Jokic has a 21-point triple-double, Jamal Murray has 25 points, and I look at him, Steve Kerr, Jimmy Butler, Draymond, they embody and believe in Jonathan Kuminga.”
“He was in the game late in the fourth quarter and in overtime. Plus, I watched Steve Kerr set up plays for him in overtime. I said, ‘Man, they’re doing well. They’re sticking together. They have one challenge and one goal led by Stephen Curry.'” They’re sleepers to me to win it all. ”
As long as they can work hard to make the playoffs, the Warriors are a tough team to play against. They were the 7th seed in the 2025 playoffs, but still defeated the Houston Rockets in the first round.
With their experience and talent, the Warriors can continue to prove themselves as one of the best teams in the league. They know about age criticism but are ready to prove everyone wrong. If Golden State can continue to establish itself as a top team, it could find some magic back in the postseason.
They lost to the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 3, but it was the second night of back-to-back games. In fact, the first leg was a grueling overtime victory over Denver.
It’s going to be tough, but the Warriors are ready. It’s no surprise that Golden State enters this game with a strong chance of success again, as Perkins is pumping up the team.