the season, positioning themselves as one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Despite a minor setback in the form of a disappointing loss on Saturday—when key player Jimmy Butler III was unable to take the court—the Warriors have been firing on all cylinders. Since the conclusion of the All-Star break, they have won six of their last seven games, demonstrating not only their offensive and defensive prowess but also capitalizing on the struggles of their Western Conference rivals.

At the start of the All-Star festivities in San Francisco, the Warriors found themselves precariously holding onto the 10th seed in the Western Conference, barely staying ahead of the Phoenix Suns. Their postseason aspirations seemed uncertain, as they were in direct competition with numerous talented teams vying for the limited playoff spots. However, what followed was an impressive ascent up the standings, with the Warriors methodically overtaking one team after another.

First, they surpassed the Sacramento Kings, a team that had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season but struggled with consistency. Then, they edged past the Dallas Mavericks, another formidable contender. As their confidence grew, the Warriors continued their climb, overtaking the Minnesota Timberwolves and subsequently outpacing the Los Angeles Clippers. Now, in a stunning turn of events, they have catapulted themselves into the sixth seed, an accomplishment that just weeks ago seemed highly improbable.

This leap in the standings carries significant implications for Golden State. By securing the sixth seed, they are currently in a position to bypass the play-in tournament entirely, which has been their primary objective since the beginning of the season. Avoiding the play-in not only ensures a more secure playoff spot but also provides much-needed rest before the grueling postseason battles commence. With just 20 games remaining on their schedule, the question now arises: Should the Warriors set their sights even higher?

Initially, the prospect of reaching the fifth seed appeared far-fetched. At the time, it was occupied by the Los Angeles Lakers, a team that, like the Warriors, had been expected to surge in the second half of the season. True to form, the Lakers have indeed gone on a strong run, climbing all the way to the second seed. However, while the Lakers have soared, several teams ahead of the Warriors have faltered, creating a window of opportunity that was previously nonexistent.

One such team is the Houston Rockets, who currently hold the fifth seed. Their grip on that position has weakened considerably in recent weeks. The Warriors have already made up ground on the Rockets, gaining two games on them in just this week alone. While Golden State secured back-to-back road victories against the Charlotte Hornets and the New York Knicks on Monday and Tuesday, the Rockets endured consecutive losses in their own road matchups against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. Houston has now suffered three consecutive defeats and has dropped 11 of their last 16 games, putting their fifth-seed status in jeopardy.

What makes this race particularly intriguing is that the Warriors have already clinched the tiebreaker over the Rockets. This means that should both teams finish with identical records, Golden State would be awarded the higher seed. With only a three-game deficit separating them from Houston, the Warriors are well within striking distance. While overtaking the Rockets will not be easy, the possibility is very much alive.

But what if the Warriors want to set their ambitions even higher? Could they realistically make a run for the fourth seed?

The team currently occupying the fourth seed is the Memphis Grizzlies. Compared to Houston, Memphis presents a much steeper challenge. The Grizzlies hold a four-and-a-half game lead over Golden State—a substantial gap that will be difficult to erase in the limited time left in the season. However, recent trends suggest that it is not entirely out of the realm of possibility.

Memphis has been struggling significantly as of late, mirroring Houston’s downturn. They have lost three consecutive games, including two against sub-.500 teams. Over their last eight contests, they have managed only two victories—both of which were narrow wins with a combined margin of just four points. Their upcoming schedule is particularly daunting, featuring multiple matchups against elite opponents. If their losing streak continues, the door may open for the Warriors to make an unexpected push for the fourth seed.

For now, Golden State remains focused on holding onto the sixth seed, as slipping back down the standings remains a real concern. The Clippers and Timberwolves, both of whom have been inconsistent but remain dangerous threats, are lurking just behind them. The Warriors cannot afford to lose momentum, as even a brief slump could undo much of the progress they have made since the All-Star break.

Nevertheless, their recent form suggests that they are peaking at the perfect time. Key players have stepped up, rotations have solidified, and the team is playing with a renewed sense of urgency and confidence. If they can sustain this level of play while their competitors falter, a further climb up the standings is within reach.

The next few games will be critical in determining how far the Warriors can go. If they continue their winning ways and capitalize on the struggles of teams like the Rockets and Grizzlies, a top-five finish is well within the realm of possibility. Should they exceed even those expectations, they could find themselves in an even more advantageous position heading into the postseason.

Regardless of how high they ultimately climb, one thing is clear: The Warriors have reasserted themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference. Their resurgence has transformed them from a team battling to stay in the playoff picture to one that could potentially secure a highly favorable seeding. As the regular season winds down, all eyes will be on Golden State to see just how high they can rise.