A Golden State player dribbles past a San Antonio defender in a closely contested basketball game with a referee in the background.
GGolden State Warriors

Defining second-half success for the Warriors

  • February 14, 2026

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The Warriors are still in win-now mode, but that looks a whole lot different since Jimmy Butler tore his ACL on Jan. 19. 

Before Butler’s season-ending injury, there was a possibility — however faint — of upgrading at the deadline, rounding into shape, and making a championship run. Now, expectations need to be adjusted. 

The Warriors can certainly finish the season strong, like they did after adding Butler last year, and enter the postseason on a hot streak. A soft schedule with games against several tanking teams gives them that opportunity. But there are more specific ways for the Warriors to win the second half. 

Perhaps the biggest way the Warriors could feel good about the final 27 games is if Kristaps Porzingis returns to the court and looks like himself. He has played just 17 games this season, and was a diminished version of himself in the second half of last season as he dealt with POTS. The Warriors have long targeted him as a rim-protecting stretch-five, so a little Rick Celebrini magic could give proof of concept. 

Today

A hockey player wearing a white San Jose Sharks jersey with number 71 and a blue helmet skates on the ice with a focused expression.

3 days ago

A basketball player wearing a black Golden State jersey with number 23 stands with his hand on his hip, looking focused.

6 days ago

Two football helmets, one Seahawks and one Patriots, face each other on gravel outside Levi's Stadium with a large "Super Bowl" sign in the background.

Porzingis hitting 3s, blocking shots, and punishing smaller mismatches could also rejuvenate Draymond Green, who has largely struggled this season. Green survived the deadline and has a player option for next season, and the Warriors need him to be at his best going forward. 

Likewise on the health front, De’Anthony Melton is on the verge of his first healthy season since 2022-23. He has been sensational since returning from his ACL recovery, putting himself in line for a big payday and the Warriors in the queue to retain him. Getting through the finish line in one piece would cap an organizational and personal win for Melton. 

The Warriors should also strive for their young players to continue ascending. If Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, and Gui Santos can establish themselves as reliable options for when Butler returns, the roster suddenly becomes much more complete. 

Steve Kerr stuck with Moody through a December shooting funk, and the wing responded with perhaps his best stretch as a Warrior. He’s averaging 12.7 points and shooting 44% from deep since January, with active hands on the perimeter. Entrenched as a starter, Moody is the Warriors’ best point-of-attack option, and his defense seems to elevate when his shot’s falling. 

It would also be nice for Podziemski to break out of his shooting funk. He shot 40% from deep through the first 34 games. In the 21 games since, his clip is 29%. Confidence is a huge factor for any player, but it’s visceral for Podziemski. He’s more decisive, aggressive, and effective when he’s in the right headspace. Can he finish the season in it and carry that mode into next year? 

Then there’s Santos, who has been surging since Butler’s injury as a more featured option. He’ll always be an energetic, hustle forward with good size and a nose for the ball. But are these flashes of competence with responsibility real? Even if he hits a wall, Santos has proven that he can stick in a competitive team’s rotation, and that’s a victory for a 55th pick. The rest of the season is a chance for him to prove even more. 

A championship isn’t in the cards for Golden State this year. So, the second half is silver-lining season.Â