ESPN Analyst Flip-Flops on Warriors' Playoff Chances

Danny Green went from saying the Warriors should tank to believing they can win a couple playoff games.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 1:37am

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A fragmented, abstract painting depicting a basketball game or match, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of color representing the dynamic action on the court.A cubist interpretation of the Warriors' high-stakes play-in matchup against the Suns, capturing the intensity and uncertainty of the moment.Inglewood Today

ESPN analyst and former NBA player Danny Green initially said the Golden State Warriors should tank their first-round play-in tournament game against the Oklahoma City Thunder to improve their NBA Draft lottery odds. However, after the Warriors' impressive victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, Green has changed his tune, now believing the Warriors can not only win their play-in game against the Phoenix Suns but also win a couple games in the first round of the playoffs.

Why it matters

Green's flip-flop on the Warriors' playoff chances highlights the fluid nature of NBA analysis and how a single game can dramatically shift perceptions. The Warriors' ability to defy expectations and make a deep playoff run would be a major story, especially given their injury-plagued regular season.

The details

Prior to the Warriors' play-in game against the Clippers, Green said on 'NBA Today' that the Warriors couldn't beat the Thunder, especially with Steph Curry and Al Horford on minutes restrictions. However, after the Warriors' impressive victory, Green appeared on 'SportsCenter' and praised the team's 'championship DNA' with Curry and Draymond Green, as well as the contributions of players like Kristaps Porzingis. Green now believes the Warriors can not only win their play-in game against the Suns but also win a couple games in the first round of the playoffs.

  • On April 15, 2026, the Warriors defeated the Clippers in the play-in tournament.
  • On April 17, 2026, Danny Green appeared on 'SportsCenter' to discuss the Warriors' playoff chances.

The players

Stephen Curry

Star point guard for the Golden State Warriors and a key part of the team's championship DNA.

Draymond Green

Veteran forward for the Golden State Warriors and another key part of the team's championship experience.

Danny Green

ESPN analyst and former NBA player who initially doubted the Warriors' playoff chances but has since changed his tune.

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What they’re saying

“If you can get additions from guys like Al Horford, [Gui] Santos and [Kristaps] Porzingis showing up the way they did, you have a really good shot to win a lot of your games, 'cause nobody on the scouting report prepares for that. They can definitely, with their experience and their championship DNA with Draymond and Steph, and also playoff experience with those other guys, have an edge. They can also not only win this game, but I can see them winning a couple of games in that first round, too, if those guys show up.”

— Danny Green, ESPN Analyst

“You're not beating the Thunder, not with this group, especially with Steph Curry on minutes restriction, also Al Horford, Porzingis... It's tough, they couldn't get Giannis, they tried to make some moves at the deadline, but, right now, they need to just focus on the future.”

— Danny Green, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Warriors will face the Phoenix Suns in the play-in tournament, with the winner advancing to the first round of the playoffs. If the Warriors can defeat the Suns, they will have the opportunity to prove Danny Green and other doubters wrong by winning a couple of games in the first round.

The takeaway

Danny Green's dramatic shift in opinion on the Warriors' playoff chances highlights the unpredictable nature of the NBA and the importance of not making definitive judgments too early. The Warriors' ability to defy expectations and make a deep playoff run would be a remarkable story, especially given their injury-plagued regular season.