As the NBA enters the first week of January 2026, the Golden State Warriors aren’t just hovering near the top of the West—they are currently the most efficient team in basketball. But it isn’t just the “Splash Brothers” era nostalgia driving this 22–9 start. The real story in San Francisco is the successful “bridge” between the old guard and a new, terrifyingly athletic core.
The Brandin Podziemski Leap
While Stephen Curry remains the gravity that holds the system together, Brandin Podziemski has officially ascended to All-Star status. Averaging a near triple-double over his last 15 games, Podziemski has become the connective tissue the Warriors haven’t had since the peak years of Draymond Green. His ability to rebound and initiate the break has allowed Curry to play off-ball more than ever, preserving the 37-year-old’s legs for the postseason.
Kuminga’s Defensive “Apex”
The narrative on Jonathan Kuminga has officially shifted from “potential” to “production.” Kuminga is currently the frontrunner for Most Improved Player, leading the league in “defensive stops resulting in a fast break.”
The Warriors’ defensive rating with a Kuminga-Draymond frontcourt is the best the league has seen since the 2017 Warriors. He has become the “Giannis-stopper” and “LeBron-nuisance” that Steve Kerr has been grooming for three seasons.
The Luxury Tax Gamble Pays Off
While other teams have been forced to shed salary due to the new CBA “second apron,” Warriors owner Joe Lacob doubled down. By keeping this expensive roster together, Golden State has a bench depth that is currently outscoring opponents by 12 points per 100 possessions.
The mid-season addition of veteran Buddy Hield has provided a “third Splash Brother” effect, leading the league in bench three-point percentage and making the Warriors’ “Death Lineup” look more lethal than it has in half a decade.
The Final Charge?
With a 2026 schedule that favors them in late January, the Warriors are in a prime position to snatch the #1 seed from the Thunder. For Curry, Green, and Kerr, this isn’t a “Last Dance”—it’s a second act.
The Stat to Watch: The Warriors’ bench leads the NBA in assists per game, a testament to the “Steve Kerr System” being fully internalized by the younger generation.
Upcoming Matchup: Warriors vs. Celtics next Saturday. A rematch of the 2022 Finals that will serve as the ultimate litmus test for the “New Look” Dubs.
