Harrison Barnes Sparks Warriors Playoff Drama with Last-Second Victory

The Golden State Warriors have fond memories of Harrison Barnes, who once donned their jersey. However, on Wednesday, he played a pivotal role in jeopardizing their playoff aspirations.

Now a member of the San Antonio Spurs, Barnes delivered a jaw-dropping, off-balance 3-pointer at the buzzer, shocking the Warriors at their own court, the Chase Center. This unexpected defeat dropped the Warriors to seventh place in the Western Conference with a 47-33 record. The Spurs celebrated Barnes’ game-winner as the buzzer sounded.

Nearly ten years have passed since the Warriors clinched their groundbreaking championship title with Barnes as their small forward. Since then, they’ve rotated through talents like Kevin Durant, Andrew Wiggins, and currently, Jimmy Butler in the same position.

Prior to the game, the Warriors boasted an impressive 21-3 record whenever Stephen Curry and Butler played together, making them formidable contenders in the competitive Western Conference playoff race. Meanwhile, the Spurs, missing key players Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, weren’t expected to pose as much of a challenge as other opponents.

Despite holding a 12-point advantage at the start of the fourth quarter, the Warriors couldn’t hold off the Spurs, who quickly mounted a comeback. In the unpredictable atmosphere of a playoff race, anything is possible.

Harrison Barnes’ dramatic shot has left the Warriors teetering on the edge of the NBA play-in tournament. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Western Conference Standings as of April 9 ------------------------------------------ 1. Oklahoma City Thunder, 66-14
2. Houston Rockets, 52-28 (14 games behind)
3. Los Angeles Lakers, 49-31 (17 GB)
4. Denver Nuggets, 48-32 (18 GB)
5. Los Angeles Clippers, 48-32 (18 GB)
6. Memphis Grizzlies, 47-32 (18.5 GB)
7. Golden State Warriors, 47-33 (19 GB)
8. Minnesota Timberwolves, 46-33 (19.5 GB)
9. Sacramento Kings, 39-41 (27 GB)
10. Dallas Mavericks, 38-42 (28 GB)

Following Wednesday’s games, the ten teams advancing to the play-in tournament or beyond were confirmed, while the Phoenix Suns were eliminated after losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder and Rockets are set to compete with play-in contenders in the first round, whereas the Kings and Mavericks will face each other in an elimination game on April 16.

The middle ranks are still chaotic. The Lakers secured a win in Dallas to stay ahead of the pack. Meanwhile, the Nuggets and Clippers also emerged victorious, keeping close on their heels, while both the Grizzlies and Timberwolves had the day off.

Currently seventh, the Warriors find themselves staring at a play-in game. They trail the necessary quartet by one game in the loss column with just two regular-season games remaining.

Their mission is straightforward: win the forthcoming games and avoid the play-in tournament. This sets the stage for an exhilarating weekend of basketball action.