The Golden State Warriors are back in a big way. After their thrilling 118-112 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, the Dubs improved to an impressive 7-1 on the season. That win, which pushed their current streak to five games, was a statement to the rest of the league. With three of those victories coming without their superstar, Steph Curry, it's clear the Warriors are proving they don’t just rely on one player to get it done. This has NBA media buzzing, with many analysts and reporters across the league declaring that Golden State is officially back in championship form.
Sure, the season is still young—barely past the 10% mark—but it's hard to ignore the momentum the Warriors are building right now. Their performance against the defending NBA champions, the Celtics, was especially telling. The Celtics have one of the most dynamic offenses in the league, with many fans and analysts wondering if the NBA might need to rewrite the rulebook to contain their dominance. But Golden State? They took it all in stride and came out with a win. That’s not just a fluke. It’s a statement.
But what’s really been exciting for Warriors fans is how well the team has performed without Curry on the floor. The five-game winning streak, including three games sans the face of the franchise, has been a showcase of the team’s newfound depth and versatility. With Curry sidelined, the offense hasn’t missed a beat. In fact, the ball movement and chemistry have been flowing better than ever. Even without the greatest shooter of all time, the Warriors have found a way to thrive.
And it’s not just about offense. Golden State’s defense has been equally impressive, ranking second in the league. That’s a huge leap from last season, where many questioned whether the Warriors could defend their way to another championship. Now, it’s clear that the Warriors’ defense has turned a corner. They’re not just relying on offensive firepower anymore—they’re locking down on defense and making it difficult for teams to score. This balanced approach, combining top-tier defense with their signature offense, has made them a real threat to any team in the league.
Across the NBA media universe, the Warriors have been getting their fair share of love. Longtime basketball writer Tom Ziller, known for his insightful commentary, recently titled his newsletter, “Alright, who forgot to latch the lid on the Warriors’ coffin?” A playful jab at the naysayers who doubted the Warriors after their championship window appeared to close. In his piece, Ziller even joked, "It might be time to get the voodoo dolls back out," suggesting that the Warriors' dynasty is far from over.
Zach Harper of The Athletic wasn’t far behind, writing a newsletter titled “Why the Warriors can be champs again.” The optimism surrounding Golden State has reached a fever pitch. The Ringer’s NBA roundup even included a subheading that reads, “The Golden State Warriors look legit again,” referencing the team’s strong showing as they’ve bounced back from last season’s struggles.
On ESPN's First Take, Brian Windhorst, one of the most respected basketball reporters, made it clear that limiting a team like the Celtics—who possess an offense capable of overwhelming anyone—was a sign of just how special the Warriors could be this year. “If you can limit the Boston Celtics, who have an absolutely dynamic offense, you can do special stuff,” Windhorst said. And given how things have played out over the last few games, it’s clear that the Warriors can do special things.
This isn’t the same Golden State team we saw last year, when the media often focused on the decline of players like Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Last season, it felt like every conversation about the Warriors revolved around their struggles. There were questions about whether Thompson was ever going to return to his former self, and whether Green still had the same defensive impact. Now, the narrative is much different.
Still, as exciting as it is to see the Warriors getting so much love from the national media, it’s important to temper expectations. After all, this praise is coming on the back of a nationally televised game. When a team like the Warriors wins on that kind of stage, it naturally garners more attention than a typical regional broadcast. But the true test is yet to come.
The Celtics game was just the first of a brutal stretch for Golden State. Their schedule is about to get even tougher, and the true measure of their potential will come from how they handle these upcoming challenges. After Boston, they face an undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers team, a championship-ready Oklahoma City Thunder squad, and Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks. Add in the Memphis Grizzlies, who are about to get a huge boost with Ja Morant’s return, and the Los Angeles Clippers, who handed the Warriors their only loss this season, and you’ve got a gauntlet of elite competition.
This is the part of the season where the Warriors will need to prove that they are more than just a flash in the pan. Can they keep up this level of play against these top-tier teams? Can they continue to win without Curry in the lineup and hold their own against the league’s best? That’s the big question.
But let’s not forget the most exciting part of all this: the Warriors have shown that they’re more than just a one-man show. They’ve got depth, defense, and the kind of team-oriented basketball that was the hallmark of their dynasty years. Yes, Curry is still the engine that makes it all go, but what we’ve seen over the last few games is that this team can play without him and still look like a contender. That’s a pretty big deal.
So, while it's tempting to jump on the hype train and declare the Warriors as true title contenders already, it’s still too early to say for sure. That said, if Golden State can keep playing the way they have against some of the league’s most formidable opponents, the hype train just might stay on the tracks. And if it does, we could be looking at a very special season ahead for the Warriors.
In the end, it’s clear that the Dubs have found something special this season. They’ve got the championship pedigree, they’ve got the talent, and now they’ve got the depth and defense to make another run. If they can keep this momentum going, it’s going to be a wild ride in the NBA this year. So, buckle up—this Warriors team looks ready to make some noise.
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