‘Mediocre’ Warriors trending up, trudging through NBA’s dog days at halfway mark

‘Mediocre’ Warriors trending up, trudging through NBA’s dog days at halfway mark originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Whoever was in charge of the music after the Warriors’ blowout win against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night was in a very particular mood. They were feeling an era and style that has lasted the test of time.

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From Notorious B.I.G. to Mase, 90s rap took over the Warriors’ weight room and the locker room walls. When they come back from the NBA All-Star break that begins for them Feb. 12 and gives Golden State eight days between games, it wouldn’t be surprising if a much different song with a much different vibe started the playlist.

A different-but-welcome vibe, to be clear.

Cue up Florence & the Machine’s “Dog Days Are Over.”

The Warriors hit the official halfway mark of the 2025-26 NBA season with their 22-point win over the Blazers. They now have played 41 games, yet still have 14 to go before the All-Star break. In other words, the Warriors are right in the first stage of an NBA season’s dog days.

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Steph Curry, at nearly 38 years old and in his 17th season, knows all about them. So does Jimmy Butler, 36 and in his 15th season, and Draymond Green, 36 in March and in his 14th season. The oldest and longest-tenured NBA player on the Warriors is 39-year-old Al Horford in Year 19, who became well acquainted with this period on the calendar long, long ago.

One of the rare Warriors players who can’t huff and puff and shake his head getting through the next 14 games is Brandin Podziemski.

“I shouldn’t have to,” Podziemski said after Tuesday’s win. “I’m 22. Young guy, just be ready to play every game, every day.”

There isn’t a defined definition of the dog days. Warriors coach Steve Kerr had them starting with the new year and ending with a renewed energy and focus coming out of the All-Star break. For Butler, they begin just a bit earlier at Christmas, or right after.

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“We are in the middle of them,” Butler said. “It’s always a blessing to be able to play basketball in the best league in the world….

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Publish date : 2026-01-14 17:53:00

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