Charles Barkley didn’t mince words when assessing the Golden State Warriors’ current state, arguing that the team’s mediocrity is costing Stephen Curry his final chances at another championship.
During a recent appearance on ABC’s Tip-Off, Barkley said Curry has become the “biggest loser” in the Warriors’ stalled season – not because of his own play, but because Golden State is no longer built to contend.
“The biggest loser in the whole thing is Steph,” Barkley said. “Because they were not contenders. Now Steph is going to finish the last part of his career on a mediocre team. And that’s the thing that’s disheartening about it.”
Barkley’s comments echoed what the standings already suggest. As of Jan. 25, the Warriors are 25-21 and eighth in the Western Conference, hovering around the play-in line rather than challenging the conference’s elite.
Warriors can still win games, but not championships
Curry’s production has not dipped. He continues to carry the offense on many nights, including a 38-point performance with eight three-pointers in a Jan. 22 loss to Dallas and a 31-point outing earlier this month in a narrow defeat to the Clippers. The results, however, have remained inconsistent.
Golden State’s recent 3-2 stretch captures the issue Barkley highlighted. The Warriors can still score and win individual games, but they have struggled to sustain success against top competition.
They are averaging 116.8 points per game while allowing 114.2 – numbers that place them squarely in the NBA’s middle tier.
The season’s trajectory shifted sharply on Jan. 19, when Jimmy Butler suffered a torn right ACL. Butler was acquired to help extend Curry’s championship window, but the injury ended his season and cast doubt over next year as well.
Steph wants to retire with Golden State
Without Butler, the Warriors are left with an aging core and limited flexibility. Young contributors such as Brandin Podziemski have shown promise, while role players like Gary Payton II provide energy, but the roster lacks the balance of a true contender.
Jonathan Kuminga’s future remains uncertain, and Draymond Green continues to age.
Curry, who turns 38 in March, is under contract through the 2026-27 season and has repeatedly said he wants to retire in Golden State. For Barkley, that loyalty only sharpens the concern.
The Warriors remain capable of reaching the postseason, but their championship odds are slim. As Barkley put it, Curry’s greatness remains intact – the team around him does not.
