The Golden State Warriors know what's coming, now it's about making sure they're ready for it. The Dubs are locked into the 10th seed in the Western Conference, and their postseason will officially begin when they face either the Portland Trail Blazers or the Los Angeles Clippers in a win-or-go-home elimination game.

The play-in structure of course makes it so they'll need to win twice to get there, and the first game is on the road. Steve Kerr is doing everything he can to get his guys ready. 

"We're trying to do some things during these games to mimic some of the coverages, and some of the things we'll see," Kerr said. "Implementing a few things here and there. We know both teams well, so we'll be ready. But it's really more about us and trying to find some rhythm here in the next couple of games."

That last part is the most important thing Kerr said. The Warriors aren't really worried about scouting Portland or LA right now. Their bigger challenge is getting Stephen Curry back in rhythm after missing 27 games with a knee injury and giving this group enough reps together to function when the pressure is real.

Curry's return has been encouraging on the surface. He put up 29 points in his first game back against Houston and followed it with 17 points and a pair of four-point plays in the win over Sacramento.

But Kerr admitted he looked a little rusty in that second outing, which makes complete sense given the circumstances. Over two months away from game action isn't something you shake off after a couple of appearances, even if you're Steph Curry.

The chemistry piece matters just as much as Curry's individual form. The Warriors have used an absurd number of different starting lineups this season. Getting even a few practices and games with something closer to their full group is genuinely valuable preparation, and that's exactly what Kerr is using these final regular season games for.

The Warriors are also expected to get several more contributors back before the play-in begins. That will change the look of this team considerably compared to the shorthanded rosters they've been throwing out there lately, and will give Kerr more options to work with defensively and in the frontcourt.

As things currently stand, the Warriors will face the Trail Blazers in their play-in game, with Portland holding the ninth seed. If Golden State wins that game, they'd then face the loser of the Suns-Clippers matchup for the eighth and final playoff spot. Lose on April 15, and the season is over. There's no margin for error in this format.

Portland is a team the Warriors know well, and the experience gap heavily favors Golden State. The Blazers haven't made the playoffs since 2021. But none of that matters if this Warriors group isn't clicking when tip-off arrives. Kerr's message is clear: Getting themselves right comes first, and everything else follows from there.