The Golden State Warriors have relied on small-ball basketball for more than a decade. During their championship run, the strategy worked because they played fast, hit a high number of 3-pointers, and still competed on the boards. But in 2025, the NBA looks different — and size matters more than before.
Warriors Still Lean on Small Lineups
The Warriors continue to play small this season, often starting no one taller than 6-foot-7 Jimmy Butler III. This worked during a recent three-game winning streak, but the lack of size became a real problem in their latest stretch of losses.
Against Portland on Friday, Golden State was crushed on the boards. The Blazers used their length and power inside to dominate the glass and expose the Warriors’ shortage of big men.
Facing the NBA’s Tallest Teams Back-to-Back
On Monday night, Golden State faced Utah — the tallest team in the league. The Jazz started Jusuf Nurkic (6-11), Lauri Markkanen (7-1), and Ace Bailey (6-9). The Warriors managed to win, but the height difference was obvious.
Next comes an even tougher challenge: the Houston Rockets, the NBA’s second-tallest roster. Even without Kevin Durant, Houston can put multiple 6-11 players on the floor, including Steven Adams, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr.
Injuries Make the Size Problem Worse
The Warriors’ situation becomes more difficult because several key players are out:
- Draymond Green – sprained foot
- Al Horford – sciatica, out at least two more games
- Jonathan Kuminga – knee tendinitis, team’s top rebounder
Even with Kuminga healthy, Golden State’s average height is only 6-foot-5.3 — the shortest team in the NBA this season.
How Bad Are the Rebounding Numbers?
Golden State entered Tuesday ranked:
- 22nd in rebounds per game (42.6)
- 23rd in overall rebounding percentage (48.4%)
- 22nd in defensive rebounding percentage (68.1%)
This is a major drop from last season, when the Warriors were among the NBA’s best rebounding teams despite not being much bigger.
Kerr Weighs the Pros and Cons of Playing Small
Head coach Steve Kerr understands the trade-offs:
- Small Lineup Advantages: better spacing, more 3-pointers, faster offense, stronger perimeter defense
- Small Lineup Problems: fewer rebounds, mismatches inside, more pressure on the guards to rebound
Kerr said the only way to survive the size disadvantage is through sharp execution and boxing out. But with injuries piling up, the challenge becomes tougher.
Warriors May Need More Minutes From Young Big Men
With Horford and Green sidelined, Golden State now depends on young centers Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis. They offer different skills:
- Quinten Post: 7-footer who stretches the floor with 3-point shooting
- Trayce Jackson-Davis: elite athlete, lob threat, strong rim protector
Both know their main job is to rebound and anchor the defense, especially on a team that lacks size.
“Our guards rebound well, but without JK it hurts,” Jackson-Davis said. “Me, Al and QP take huge responsibility when we come in — we have to hold things down and control the glass.”
Can the Warriors Win Playing This Small?
The Warriors have succeeded with small-ball for years, but the modern NBA is bigger, stronger, and more physical. With rebounding already a weakness and several big men hurt, Golden State must find a way to balance speed and style with size and strength.
Conclusion
The Warriors still believe in small-ball, but their lack of size has become a real concern in the 2025 season. With tough, tall teams ahead and injuries to key frontcourt players, Golden State must rely on smarter execution, improved rebounding, and more help from young big men. Whether this strategy can hold up over a long season remains the biggest question for the team.
