Steph Curry hit a 3-point shot from distance with just seconds remaining in the game and the Warriors beat the Suns on Saturday night, 113-112 on national TV. Their record now sits at 25-25, and they are rising in the standings.

Here’s that Steph Curry turnaround game-winning 3 with 0.7 seconds left, complete with the celebration in front of Joe Lacob pic.twitter.com/OVWLnUGZuz

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 11, 2024

But how well will the Warriors have to play down the stretch to gain the sixth seed and avoid the Play-In Tournament?

According to a postgame writeup from The Athletic, a 22-10 record for the rest of the season will be required.

Every win the Warriors can gather right now is massive. They’re 25-25 through 50 games, on the edge of the Play-In bracket and still five games out of the sixth seed, which is their ultimate target. There is little time to waste. They probably need to go something like 22-10 or perhaps better in the stretch run to escape the Play-In bracket.

The Athletic

I’m as bullish as anyone about the Warriors’ chances this season, given how well they’ve played since the return of forward Draymond Green from suspension. But a 22-10 record will be difficult to reach for a group that is just now starting to gel. Plus, the Warriors have more road games than any team as the season winds down.

If Green can avoid another suspension, they have a chance. Since his return, the Warriors defense has improved dramatically. His ability to play small-ball center has allowed athletic forwards Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga to play together in the starting lineup, which helps on both ends of the court in an NBA that is more athletic than ever.

Green demeanor on the court has improved since his suspension, but it’s no guarantee he won’t implode again and earn another punishment for his actions on the court. That was evidenced against the Suns when Green and Suns center Jusuf Nurkić flirted with more fisticuffs; Green’s last suspension was for hitting Nurkić in the head with a wild swing of his arm.

The Warriors are looking fantastic right now, but their improved play is no guarantee the rest of the way, mostly because of Green’s volatility. So in actuality, not much has changed, except they have to dominate down the stretch this time if they are to have a shot at yet another trophy.