Stephen Curry, Warriors dynasty nearing its end

The Golden State Warriors dynasty appears to be entering its final stretch, with time, injuries, and uncertainty all converging at once.

Stephen Curry is now 37, approaching 38, and while his game has aged gracefully, the margin for error around him has grown razor-thin. Over the past several seasons, Golden State’s championship hopes have repeatedly been derailed by injuries – many of them coming at the worst possible moments.

It began in 2019, when the Warriors were chasing a historic three-peat. Kevin Durant tore his Achilles during the NBA Finals against Toronto, followed shortly by Klay Thompson’s ACL injury. What followed was a lost 2020 season, then another setback when Curry broke his hand just a few games into the year. As Thompson worked his way back, misfortune struck again – this time an Achilles tear that delayed his return even further.

The injury cycle never truly stopped. Last season, De’Anthony Melton had been playing well alongside Curry in the backcourt before suffering a torn ACL, and from there, things unraveled quickly. In the playoffs, after Golden State rode the momentum of yet another series win over Houston, Curry suffered a hamstring strain that sidelined him against the Timberwolves. Without him, the Warriors were eliminated.

Most recently, another devastating blow landed. Jimmy Butler tore his ACL, costing Golden State its second star next to Curry and dealing a major hit to whatever remained of its title aspirations.

All of it underscores a harsh reality: time is running out. There are no guarantees in today’s NBA, and opportunities to win championships are fleeting – especially for an aging superstar, no matter how great.

Curry continues to do his part. He just dropped 38 points and drilled eight three-pointers against Dallas, another reminder that he can still take over games and perform at a championship level. But nights like that have increasingly felt isolated, surrounded by questions about whether the supporting cast is good enough to contend.

The uncertainty extends beyond the roster. Klay Thompson is no longer there. Butler is sidelined. Steve Kerr has just one year left on his contract. Draymond Green is getting older and showing signs of decline. Meanwhile, the front office remains caught between timelines, holding onto young pieces rather than fully committing to moves that could immediately maximize Curry’s remaining prime.

That’s what makes this moment feel different. Curry is still capable of being the best player on a title team. He’s shown it time and time again, but without sufficient help and without a clear organizational direction, the window that defined one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history appears to be closing.

And for a player who has given everything to the franchise, that reality is as difficult as it is unavoidable.