What record do the Golden State Warriors need on their eight-game homestand?

The Golden State Warriors have returned home after a disastrous six-game road-trip, with the franchise recording just one solitary win and losing superstar and two-time MVP Stephen Curry to injury in the process.

Fortunately for the 15-18 Warriors, they’ll be in the comfort of home for an extended period. A Christmas Day showcase game against the Memphis Grizzlies kicks off an eight-game homestand for the reigning NBA champions.

A positive homestand will be imperative to the Golden State Warriors keeping their season afloat in the continuing absence of Stephen Curry.

Much has been made of the Warriors’ league-worst 3-16 road record, but they’ve been dominant at Chase Center procuring a 14-2 record in front of home fans. Golden State will aim to maintain that excellent record, though the absence of Curry will make it all the more difficult.

The matchup with the Grizzlies will be followed by games against the Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns. Either end of the homestand offers significant challenges that the Warriors will likely enter as outsiders in without Curry. However, the six games in between all appear incredibly winnable.

A 6-2 record would therefore be ideal, taking Golden State back above .500 at 21-20 on the season. A more realistic target might be 5-3, setting them at 20-21 ahead of Curry’s anticipated return. The Finals MVP is likely to miss the entire homestand — three weeks would have passed in between games against the Pistons and Magic, but Curry’s return from his shoulder injury will likely stem longer.

Anything less than 5-3 would be viewed as disappointing, although little has been guaranteed for the Warriors this season even with Curry in the lineup. The success of this stretch is even more important given they head on another five-game road-trip immediately afterwards.