Analysis of the Golden State Warriors Starting Five During the 2025-26 Season

The Golden State Warriors' 2025–26 campaign represented a pivotal chapter in the franchise's post-dynasty era. Characterized by a blend of legendary championship experience and aggressive roster retooling, the team navigated a volatile Western Conference landscape. At the heart of this season was a specific starting five that Head Coach Steve Kerr relied upon to balance spacing, defensive versatility, and veteran leadership.

As of the conclusion of the regular season in April 2026, the Golden State Warriors finished with a 37–45 record, securing the 10th seed in the Western Conference. While the season ultimately ended in the NBA Play-In Tournament against the Phoenix Suns, the evolution of their starting lineup provided significant insights into the team's strategic direction.

Core Starting Five for the 2025-26 Campaign

Throughout the majority of the 2025–26 season, the Warriors utilized a starting unit designed to maximize the remaining prime years of Stephen Curry while integrating the elite two-way capabilities of newly acquired forward Jimmy Butler. The core starting lineup consisted of:

This lineup reflected a "small-ball" philosophy that has been the hallmark of the Steve Kerr era, featuring Draymond Green at center to unlock high-tempo transitions and complex defensive switching schemes.

Individual Role Analysis and Performance Metrics

Stephen Curry: The Perpetual Offensive Engine

Entering his 17th NBA season at age 37, Stephen Curry remained the focal point of the Golden State Warriors' offense. Despite the natural progression of age, Curry’s statistical output and gravity on the court continued to dictate the opposing team's defensive strategies.

During the 2025–26 season, Curry averaged approximately 24.5 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game. His efficiency remained elite, shooting nearly 45% from the field and maintaining a three-point percentage hovering around 39-40%. The starting lineup was built primarily to create space for Curry. By having Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga as slashing threats, defenses were often forced to choose between staying home on Curry’s perimeter movement or collapsing on drives, often resulting in Curry finding open looks through "elevator door" screens and off-ball stagger sets.

Brandin Podziemski: The Emergence of a Connector

The inclusion of Brandin Podziemski in the starting backcourt over veteran Buddy Hield was a strategic move by Steve Kerr to prioritize "connectivity." At 22 years old, Podziemski provided a high basketball IQ, rebounding from the guard position, and the ability to initiate the offense when Curry was denied the ball.

Podziemski’s value in the starting five was less about high-volume scoring and more about his + / - impact. His ability to make the "extra pass" and his tenacity on the defensive glass (averaging over 5 rebounds per game) allowed the Warriors to play smaller without being completely dominated in the rebounding battle. His synergy with Draymond Green in dribble-handoff (DHO) situations became a secondary staple of the Warriors' half-court offense.

Jimmy Butler: The Two-Way Acquisition

The arrival of Jimmy Butler was the most significant roster change for the Warriors in years. As a six-time All-Star, Butler brought a level of perimeter defensive intensity that the team had lacked since the peak years of Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala.

In the 2025–26 starting lineup, Butler functioned as the primary stopper against the Western Conference’s elite wings. Offensively, he provided a reliable mid-range game and an ability to get to the free-throw line, which offered the Warriors a "bail-out" option when their motion offense stalled. Butler’s veteran presence was particularly noted in late-game situations, though injuries limited his availability to key stretches of the season. When healthy, the net rating of the Curry-Butler-Green trio was among the most competitive in the league.

Jonathan Kuminga: The Athletic X-Factor

The 2025–26 season was a critical juncture for Jonathan Kuminga, following a highly publicized offseason regarding his role and contract status. As the starting power forward, Kuminga provided the vertical spacing and transition speed that balanced the veteran-heavy roster.

Kuminga’s development as a spot-up shooter was vital for the starting unit's spacing. By shooting at a respectable clip from the corners, he prevented defenders from sagging off to double-team Curry. His defensive role was equally important; often tasked with guarding the opponent's most athletic forward, Kuminga’s physical growth allowed him to handle larger matchups, occasionally sliding to the center position in ultra-small lineups.

Draymond Green: The Defensive Anchor at Center

Draymond Green continued to serve as the team’s emotional and tactical heartbeat. Operating as a 6'6" center, Green’s role was to orchestrate the defense and serve as the primary facilitator in the 4-on-3 situations created by Curry’s gravity.

Statistically, Green’s impact remained broad: averaging roughly 9 points, 6 rebounds, and nearly 6 assists. However, his true value was reflected in the defensive rating of the starting five. His ability to communicate rotations and defend much larger centers like Ivica Zubac or Deandre Ayton enabled the Warriors to maintain their identity. Despite the physical toll of playing center at his size and age, Green’s basketball IQ remained the glue that held the versatile lineup together.

Tactical Philosophy: The "Core Four" and the Fifth Spot Rotation

Head Coach Steve Kerr’s approach to the 2025–26 season was defined by establishing a "Core Four" consisting of Curry, Butler, Green, and Kuminga. The fifth spot in the starting lineup was often a point of tactical experimentation based on the opponent.

The Guard vs. Big Man Dilemma

While Brandin Podziemski was the primary starter at the shooting guard position, Kerr frequently adjusted the lineup to include more size. In matchups against teams with dominant interior presences, the Warriors experimented with starting Quinten Post, a 7-foot rookie center, to provide rim protection and allow Draymond Green to roam as a help defender.

For instance, in October 2025, during a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, Kerr started Post to match up against Ivica Zubac. This allowed the Warriors to preserve veteran big man Al Horford for bench minutes and kept Green from the physical exhaustion of battling true centers for 30+ minutes.

The Bench Support and Fluidity

The starting five did not operate in a vacuum. The effectiveness of the Curry-Podziemski-Butler-Kuminga-Green unit was supported by a bench featuring Al Horford, Buddy Hield, Gary Payton II, and Moses Moody.

• Al Horford: Provided veteran stability and "stretch five" capabilities off the bench.
• Buddy Hield: Served as a high-volume three-point specialist, often replacing Podziemski when the team needed a scoring burst.
• Moses Moody: Continued to be a defensive disruptor, occasionally starting in place of injured wings to provide "3-and-D" utility.

Statistical Impact of the Starting Unit

The primary starting five (Curry, Podziemski, Butler, Kuminga, Green) showcased high-level efficiency during the first half of the season. Data from early season segments indicated an offensive rating of approximately 120.6 and a defensive rating of 104.2 when this quintet was on the floor together.

This high net rating suggests that while the Warriors struggled as a whole throughout the 82-game season (finishing 37-45), their starting unit was statistically elite. The discrepancy between the starting unit's success and the overall record can be attributed to several factors:

1. Bench Depth Inconsistency: Outside of the core veterans, the second unit often struggled to maintain leads.
2. Injuries: Stephen Curry’s knee injury and Jimmy Butler’s intermittent absences forced Kerr to use over 20 different starting variations throughout the season.
3. Late-Game Execution: Despite the veteran presence, the Warriors lost several close contests that impacted their final seeding.

Notable Lineup Variations and Critical Games

Opening Night vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The season opener at Crypto.com Arena saw the debut of the Curry-Podziemski-Butler-Kuminga-Green lineup. This game was significant as it pitted the Warriors' small-ball approach against a Lakers team featuring Luka Doncic and Deandre Ayton. The Warriors chose to start small, banking on Green's ability to defend Ayton and Butler's ability to shadow Doncic.

Game 4 vs. Houston Rockets (April 2025)

In a crucial late-season matchup, Steve Kerr made a surprising adjustment by starting Buddy Hield alongside Curry, Podziemski, Butler, and Green. This "triple-guard" look was designed to counter Houston’s speed and emphasize perimeter shooting. Hield’s presence provided extra spacing, allowing Butler more room to operate in the mid-post.

The Play-In Tournament vs. Phoenix Suns

By the time the Warriors reached the Play-In Tournament in April 2026, the lineup had shifted due to late-season developments. The starting five announced for the must-win game against the Suns included:

• Stephen Curry
• Brandin Podziemski
• Gui Santos
• Draymond Green
• Kristaps Porzingis

This variation highlighted the team's desperation for size and additional scoring threats around Curry, as Porzingis (a late-season acquisition or return) was moved into the starting center role to match up with Phoenix’s frontcourt.

Historical Comparison: 2025-26 vs. The Dynasty Era

To understand the 2025–26 starting five, one must compare it to the "Death Lineup" of the 2014–2019 dynasty.

• Shooting: The 2015–19 lineups featured the "Splash Brothers" (Curry and Thompson) and Kevin Durant, providing unparalleled spacing. The 2025–26 lineup relied more on Curry’s individual gravity and the slashing/mid-range abilities of Butler and Kuminga.
• Defense: While Draymond Green remained the constant, the 2025–26 unit substituted the perimeter length of Andre Iguodala and Klay Thompson with Jimmy Butler’s point-of-attack pressure and Podziemski’s hustle.
• Versatility: Both units emphasized "positionless" basketball. However, the 2025–26 version was more of a "bridge" lineup, attempting to remain competitive while developing younger assets like Podziemski and Kuminga.

Why the 2025-26 Lineup Faced Challenges

Despite the individual talent within the starting five, the Golden State Warriors failed to recapture the championship glory of previous years. Several structural issues hampered the effectiveness of the starting rotation:

1. The Aging Curve

Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, while still performing at an All-Star level, faced increasing challenges in maintaining peak intensity over an 82-game schedule. This led to strategic "load management" and occasional defensive lapses in back-to-back scenarios.

2. Spacing Limitations

While Curry is the greatest shooter in history, the 2025–26 lineup featured several players (Butler, Green, Kuminga) who are more comfortable in the paint or mid-range. This occasionally allowed opposing defenses to "clog the lane," making it more difficult for Curry to navigate through traffic and for Butler to find clear paths to the rim.

3. Interior Size

Playing Draymond Green at center for extended periods remains a high-risk, high-reward strategy. Against teams with elite, traditional big men, the Warriors were often outrebounded. The attempt to rotate Quinten Post into the starting five was a direct response to this vulnerability, but the rookie’s lack of experience made it difficult to sustain against top-tier competition.

How the 2025-26 Lineup Influenced Future Decisions

The conclusion of the 2025–26 season marked a crossroads for the franchise. The performance of the Curry-Butler-Green-Kuminga-Podziemski unit proved that while the Warriors could still compete with the league's best on any given night, the margin for error had narrowed.

The season solidified Jonathan Kuminga’s status as a foundational piece, as his inclusion in the starting five throughout the year provided him with the necessary experience to take a primary scoring role. It also demonstrated Brandin Podziemski’s long-term viability as a versatile backcourt partner for Curry. Conversely, the 37–45 record prompted the front office to re-evaluate the balance between veteran acquisitions like Jimmy Butler and the need for younger, more durable rim protection.

Conclusion

The Golden State Warriors' starting five during the 2025–26 season—Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, and Draymond Green—was a lineup built on the principles of versatility and veteran savvy. While the season record of 37–45 was a disappointment for a franchise accustomed to deep playoff runs, the starting unit itself remained a statistical bright spot when healthy. The integration of Jimmy Butler provided a necessary defensive edge, while the growth of Podziemski and Kuminga signaled a transition toward a new era of Warriors basketball. Ultimately, the 2025–26 lineup will be remembered as a high-effort attempt to extend the championship window of the core dynasty players through strategic veteran additions and the promotion of emerging young talent.

FAQ

Who were the starters for the Golden State Warriors in 2025-26?

The core starting lineup for the 2025–26 season consisted of Stephen Curry (PG), Brandin Podziemski (SG), Jimmy Butler (SF), Jonathan Kuminga (PF), and Draymond Green (C).

What was the Golden State Warriors' record in the 2025-26 season?

The Warriors finished the 2025–26 regular season with a 37–45 record, placing them 10th in the Western Conference.

Did the Warriors make the playoffs in 2026?

No. The Warriors were eliminated in the NBA Play-In Tournament by the Phoenix Suns and did not qualify for the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

Why did Steve Kerr start Brandin Podziemski over Buddy Hield?

Coach Steve Kerr preferred Podziemski’s "connectivity," IQ, and rebounding in the starting lineup to balance the offensive aggression of Curry and Butler. Podziemski was seen as a better fit for the team's motion offense.

How did Jimmy Butler perform with the Warriors?

Jimmy Butler provided elite wing defense and a secondary scoring option, averaging 19 points per game when healthy. His presence helped the Warriors maintain a competitive defensive rating, though injuries limited his total games played.

Who was the Warriors' center in 2025-26?

Draymond Green served as the primary starting center in small-ball lineups. However, the team also utilized rookie Quinten Post and veteran Al Horford to provide traditional size when needed.