The Warriors’ season may be marked by poor form, but beneath it lies a defense quietly performing at an elite, top-tier level.
It may come as a surprise that Golden State owns one of the best defenses in the league. That’s especially true given how underwhelming their performances and record have been this season. They’ve even held opponents under 100 points in four of their last five games, a stretch that shows how dominant their defense has been. Yet, despite their offensive issues, their defense always seems to give them a chance in games they have no business being competitive in.
But how long can this strong defensive formula keep their hopes of championship contention alive?
Elite Defense Is Keeping The Warriors Afloat In A Poor-Form Season
A Defense Built on Discipline
This season, the Warriors have quietly climbed up the defensive rankings without many really noticing. They rank fourth in the NBA with a defensive rating of 111.2, placing them among the league’s elite defenses. For a team fighting to live out its glory days, that defensive ranking speaks volumes.
The Dubs usually rely on discipline, communication, and high-IQ players who understand Steve Kerr’s system, but this season, the rotation has truly made the difference. Draymond Green has been Golden State’s defensive anchor for the last decade and continues to be. This season, however, Kerr has used him more selectively, allowing the rotation around him to shine. And it’s working. One of the biggest surprises has been Quinten Post.
Once known primarily for his shooting as a big man, Post has quickly become one of the league’s best defenders. He has demonstrated his defensive value by shutting down drives and preventing easy buckets in the paint. The 25-year-old currently sits sixth in defensive ratings and played a key role in leading the Dubs to victory over the Cavaliers and Bulls. He’s clearly made real improvements in the offseason. His hard work now warrants more starts, giving 35-year-old Green valuable rest.
Quinten Post Stats against Bulls
19 PTS
4 REB
1 STL
1 BLK
5/10 3PM
67.9 TS%
+25Lead the team in points and the win
pic.twitter.com/GQ83Hbqm11
— QuintenPostMuse
(@QuintenPMuse) December 8, 2025
Offense Is Holding Them Back
It’s odd to think that a team boasting the star power of Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, along with proven scorers like Buddy Hield and Jonathon Kuminga, has struggled so badly on offense this season. While it’s understandable that Golden State would drop games without their main scoring option, Curry, they’ve been underwhelming with him. That’s despite him averaging 28.5 points per game this season. The Warriors tend to focus on isolation and perimeter shooting, and when that fails, the defense becomes even more crucial.
With Curry recently sidelined for nearly two weeks due to injury, Dub Nation was left doubting whether the Warriors could survive even a week without him. Yet, in the five games he missed, Golden State delivered incredible performances, winning three of them. But it was down largely to the defense. In those victories, they held each opponent below 100 points.
Lately, the offense has stalled. But this has allowed the Warriors to slow the pace of the game, force tough shots, and limit transition points. Their defensive discipline has allowed them to remain competitive even on nights when the offense is at a lull. That defensive discipline keeps the Warriors competitive despite ranking 23rd in the league offensively.
Can Defense Save Their Season?
It’s not even the halfway point of the season, and the Warriors’ elite defense is already showing promising signs of change. Lately, Golden State has flashed glimpses of its glory days, and ironically, many of those moments have been without Curry. This new defensive foundation could keep their season afloat while the offense must continue its search for consistency. Even amid those struggles, the Warriors appear to have finally found a formula that works when veterans sit out. If they can pair that renewed defensive energy with any offensive improvement, expect the Dubs to turn a poor-form start into something far more promising.
Featured Image: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
The post Elite Defense Is Keeping The Warriors Afloat In A Poor Season appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.