The Golden State Warriors have started off the 2024-25 NBA season really hot, picking up four wins in five games while ranking as one of the best defenses and offenses in the NBA. They look like a complete package despite the team clearly being in an experimental phase, where Steve Kerr keeps changing the lineups and rotations to identify his best players.
The month of November is going to be crucial for the Warriors, who are hoping Stephen Curry returns to the team early in the month after picking up an injury a couple of games ago. The Warriors ended October with two wins without Curry, so the team is looking organized.
But with nine road games out of a total 14 matchups coming up, can the Warriors manage to maintain their position as a top-three seed in the West? Let's take a look at how the upcoming month might play out for the franchise.
Warriors @ Rockets (November 2; 8 PM EST)
The Houston Rockets just picked up a great win over the Dallas Mavericks by relying on their suffocating perimeter defense and aggressive rebounding, something the smaller Warriors could struggle with. The Rockets are designed to limit perimeter shots, with the aggressive defenders likely getting the Warriors out of rhythm, especially without Curry on the court. This might be controversial, but the Warriors will start November with a loss.
Prediction: Rockets def. Warriors 119-108
Warriors @ Wizards (November 4; 7:15 PM EST)
The Washington Wizards are looking far better than many expected, especially due to Bilal Coulibaly taking an offensive leap and fitting in nicely next to a talented crop of young stars on the franchise. Regardless, they don't have enough coherence to beat a unit like the Warriors, whose motion offense will likely leave the young Wizards' heads spinning. Curry won't be available, but the team has enough to earn this win.
Prediction: Warriors def. Wizards 129-103
Warriors @ Celtics (November 6; 7:30 PM EST)
The biggest test for any team this season will be matching up with the Boston Celtics, who still look like the best team in the NBA. Even without Kristaps Porzingis in the rotation, the Celtics have more than enough versatility to thwart the Warriors. Boston implements an even better defense and perimeter offense than Golden State, and with Curry likely not being back for this matchup either, the chances of a Warriors win are very slim.
Prediction: Celtics def. Warriors 124-111
Warriors @ Cavaliers (November 8; 7:30 PM EST)
The best team in the NBA right now is the Cleveland Cavaliers, still rocking an undefeated 5-0 record under former Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson. Given Atkinson's familiarity with the Warriors and the incredible form his players have started this season with, a home win for the Cavaliers is what we expect to see, although Curry should be back in the lineup by this point. Nonetheless, the Cavaliers' combination of defense and shooting will be too lethal to overcome.
Prediction: Cavaliers def. Warriors 115-102
Warriors @ Thunder (November 10; 7 PM EST)
In what will be their fifth straight road game in the month, the Warriors take on the best team in the West, the OKC Thunder. They won't stand a chance at winning this without Curry, as the Thunder have perfectly optimized their perimeter defense by adding Alex Caruso this summer. The pressure he, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Lu Dort are putting on opposing perimeter players is incredible, and the Warriors' outside-shooting style will crash and burn against them.
Prediction: Thunder def. Warriors 125-108
Mavericks @ Warriors (November 12; 10 PM EST)
An extremely competitive set of fixtures continues for the Warriors as they return home to host the Dallas Mavericks after their five-game road trip. The Mavericks haven't looked perfect to start the season but are also suffering through very poor performances from Luka Doncic which likely won't stretch for two more weeks. With the motivation Klay Thompson will have in his return to the Bay Area, we would expect the smart money to be on the Mavericks.
Prediction: Mavericks def. Warriors 115-108
Grizzlies @ Warriors (November 15; 10 PM EST)
We have the Warriors going 1-5 over their first six games of November, so this matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies at home will be crucial for the franchise. With the Grizzlies facing multiple injury issues across their roster still, the Warriors will be in a solid position to capitalize on their unclear identity and walk away with what would be a much-needed win.
Prediction: Warriors def. Grizzlies 121-114
Warriors @ Clippers (November 18; 10:30 PM EST)
The Los Angeles Clippers are proving they can be competitive through the start of the season, relying on defense and team-oriented offense to compete with the best teams in the NBA. The Warriors employ a similar setup but with far more talented offensive players and the greatest shooter of all time organizing that offense. The Warriors have enough talent and offensive power to overcome the Clippers' stifling defense and pick up their first-ever win at the Intuit Dome.
Prediction: Warriors def. Clippers 112-103
Hawks @ Warriors (November 20; 10 PM EST)
The Atlanta Hawks look like a mid-tier Eastern Conference contender who will have to focus on developing the youth on their roster at some point this season. That point likely won't be the third week of November, when they'll face the Warriors. Golden State should pip this win out with their combination of two-way talent, as the Hawks are relying on shooting variance from their stars to lead them to wins so far this season.
Prediction: Warriors def. Hawks 111-106
Warriors @ Pelicans (November 22; 8 PM EST)
The New Orleans Pelicans were expected to be among the contenders in the West this season but those plans have sputtered with Dejounte Murray suffering a broken hand. Murray will likely not return in time for this fixture against the Warriors, where Golden State will hope to pick up their third win over New Orleans this season after ending October with dominant back-to-back wins.
Prediction: Warriors def. Pelicans 121-109
Warriors @ Spurs (November 23; 8:30 PM EST)
As we predict the Warriors to bounce back from a rough start to the month with a four-game winning streak, they'll head to the San Antonio Spurs for arguably their trickiest game of the month. Victor Wembanyama's performances have been erratic but if he can maximize attacking the Warriors' lack of interior size, this could be a bad loss for Golden State. However, we think the Warriors will still hold on to win with their experience and shooting talent.
Prediction: Warriors def. Spurs 114-98
Nets @ Warriors (November 25; 10 PM EST)
The Brooklyn Nets have shown flashes of competitiveness to start the season, but expecting them to pick up a road win against the Warriors might be a bridge too far.
Prediction: Warriors def. Nets 124-101
Thunder @ Warriors (November 27; 10 PM EST)
The Warriors will have to deal with the Thunder twice this month and I don't see any reason why this matchup would lead to a Warriors win when I predicted the Thunder to win the other. This would end a predicted six-game winning streak for Golden State.
Prediction: Thunder def. Warriors 124-121
Warriors @ Suns (November 30; 9 PM EST)
The Phoenix Suns have been giving the best teams in the Western Conference a run for their money this season after they augmented their star-heavy offensive core with strong defenders to add balance to their roster. If the form of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and even rookie Ryan Dunn continues the way it has been, the Warriors will likely lose a matchup against the Suns.
Prediction: Suns def. Warriors 117-115
A Less-Than-Perfect Month For The Warriors
Our predictions show that the Warriors will go 7-7 over November, establishing them as a middle-of-the-road team in the Conference. A lot can change over a month, but right now, this is what we think November could look like for them, especially with their rough run of fixtures at the start of the month while Stephen Curry is injured.
Hopefully, the incredible shooting and league-leading defense we've seen from the Warriors in five games over October is something that can be sustained over the next month. A 7-7 record will still have them in the thick of the Playoff battle before their fixture load eases up in the coming months.
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