The Golden State Warriors weren’t given much of a shot at being an outright playoff team this season after they lost in the second Play-In game last year.

The Warriors have missed the playoffs in two of the last three seasons, and injuries to Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, both of whom are expected to be out until 2027, had experts doubting just how far the team could go.

After an 0-3 start, the doubt got louder, but the Warriors have won five straight, including a couple of big comebacks. On Monday, they came back from down 17 to knock off the Phoenix Suns, the team that ended their season in the Play-Ins last year.

Asked what’s different about the team this year compared to last, Stephen Curry pointed out the addition of rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, Brandin Poziemski taking a step foward, and the team be more prepared on details of what they are trying to do.

The Warriors were reportedly star-chasing throughout the offseason, with their pursuit of LeBron James being well-known. They were reportedly in talks to acquire Anthony Davis or Jaylen Brown as well, and have been close to landing the likes of Kevin Durant, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard over the years.

None of those moves worked out, and the Warriors were bringing back the same team that failed to make the playoffs last year, only without Butler and Moody to start the year.

The health issues of Kristaps Porzingis got their season off to a rough start as he was acquired from the Atlanta Hawks at the 2026 trade deadline in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and was expected to take on a secondary scoring role while Butler worked his way back from the ACL injury.

Now, it looks like Porzingis might not play for the Warriors again.

Unable to make any significant offseason changes, the Warriors needed the 11th overall pick out of Michigan and their new $110 million man to step up and take on a more significant role.

Thus far, it’s paid off.

Yaxel Lendeborg is averaging 21.5 points, seven rebounds, and 3.9 assists in his rookie season. He’s had his ups and downs, but scored 37 points against the Clippers on November 1, the most points by a Warriors rookie since Steph.

Podz has once again increased his scoring output, going from 13.8 points per game last year to 17 this year while becoming a better playmaker and maintaining his shooting percentage.

If Yaxel and Podz can keep up this level of play, the Warriors could be back in the playoffs.