Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Warriors are choosing rest over seeding ahead of postseason

By Sean Keane | Last updated 4/14/24

The Golden State Warriors need both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings to lose to avoid of 9-10 play-in game. In their own case, it looks like they're opting for rest instead.

Stephen Curry and Draymond Green will not play in Golden State's game against the Utah Jazz today, ESPN's Kendra Andrews reported.

The Warriors had previously listed multiple star players as "questionable" for the game.

The Warriors are listing Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Chris Paul and Jonathan Kuminga as questionable vs Jazz tomorrow. Gary Payton II is out. Warriors in 10th. Outside shot at ninth or eighth seed there, but they need help.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 14, 2024

After the Warriors dropped yet another home game to a playoff team Friday night, they lost the chance to control their own destiny for the No. 8 seed.

Now, they need help. And perhaps coach Steve Kerr simply doesn't believe the Kings are going to lose to the Portland Trail Blazers, no matter what.

The Blazers do have an incentive to lose and finish with no better than the league's fourth-worst record, but the Lakers are playing a Pelicans team motivated to avoid the 7-8 play-in game entirely.

The Warriors have won nine of their last 11 games, but remain in 10th place, the same place they were when their hot streak began. The team seems to think that giving its veteran-heavy team four days off ahead of the 9-10 matchup could be their best chance at winning two road games Wednesday and Friday to make the playoffs.

Or the Warriors realize that home court hasn't been an advantage for them this season. Golden State is 20-20 at home this season, and 25-16 on the road. They lost to each of their potential play-in opponents at home, while beating Sacramento on the road once and the Lakers in Los Angeles twice.

It's asking a lot for the Warriors to win two big games this week. Steve Kerr has decided that winning three is too much to ask.

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