With the NBA Schedule now in place, expectations can be set for the Golden State Warriors’ 2023-24 season. Over the next few weeks, bluemanhoop.com will provide projections on the franchise’s win-loss record on a month-by-month basis.
After a set of five preseason games between October 8-21, the Golden State Warriors will tip-off their 2023-24 campaign on October 24 at Chase Center. It’s an important early period for a team looking to re-establish their championship credentials, and provides an opportunity to alleviate some of the concerns regarding their disastrous road form last season.
Game 1 vs. Phoenix Suns (October 24)
Assuming both teams are fully healthy, this projects as a tantalizing opening night battle even beyond the obvious storylines surrounding Chris Paul and Kevin Durant. Both teams are incorporating new major pieces with Paul and Bradley Beal, but the Suns have a little more uncertainty around their bench given a plethora of minimum contract acquisitions in free agency. That, combined with the home-court advantage, might given the Warriors a slight edge.
Result: Golden State win
Game 2 @ Sacramento Kings (October 27)
A huge matchup here with a rivalry brewing between the two teams after a pulsating first-round series in this year’s playoffs. The Kings will be eager to get revenge after their disappointing defeat at home in Game 7, and with a boisterous Golden 1 Center crowd behind them, it might be enough to come away with the chocolates.
Result: Golden State loss
Game 3 @ Houston Rockets (October 29)
It may be early in the season, but these are the games Golden State cannot afford to lose. The Warriors did win all four meetings against the lowly Rockets last season, but the home team should be much improved through the addition of a new head coach in Ime Udoka and free agent acquisitions headed by Fred Van Vleet.
Houston will be motivated to claim an early scalp to define their improvement, but the visitors’ experience should see them prevail. Keep an eye on Dillon Brooks to see if his rivalry with the Warriors transfers to his new team.
Result: Golden State win
Game 4 @ New Orleans Pelicans (October 30)
The second night of a back-to-back and third game in four days, this might present as an early ‘scheduled loss’ for the Warriors. Regardless, a fully healthy Pelicans will be hard to beat on their home floor anyway. Led by Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, New Orleans will be determined to write the wrongs of a disastrous second-half of last season where they fell from a 23-12 record to miss the playoffs entirely.
The teams split the season series in 2022-23, with the home team winning on all four occasions. You wouldn’t expect any of the Warrior veterans to rest this early in the season, but nevertheless they’ll probably feel the effects of a heavy few days.
Result: Golden State loss
Projected win-loss record in October: 2-2