The bulk of the Warriors’ core is questionable or out for Wednesday’s game against the Heat, one day after Steve Kerr criticized the team’s difficult early schedule.

The Warriors have already slogged through five back-to-backs this season. No other team has played four. The Rockets have yet to play one. The Lakers, the league’s precious children, just came off a stretch where they played only two games in nine days.

The Golden State Warriors begin the schedule-equalizing portion of their season Friday night when they get a revenge matchup at home against the Portland Trail Blazers in an NBA Cup game.

’Tis the season for cozy sweaters, decking the halls and holiday basketball. Christmas is still over a month away, but with temperatures dropping, the sun setting before 5 p.m. and the air getting crisper, it’s time to start looking ahead to Christmas—including which basketball games will be played on the holiday.

Wednesday’s game will complete Golden State’s fifth back-to-back set of the season as the Warriors play their 17th game (12 on the road) in 30 days to open the season.

Florida coach Todd Golden surprised Warriors guard Will Richard in Orlando with his 2025 National Championship ring before the game.

The pace race has proven a winnable commodity for the Miami Heat . .. but at what cost to the league and even to those who might choose to run in the other direction?

Steve Kerr says Golden State’s packed travel slate has been unusually demanding, though the Warriors are pushing through while considering rest options during a back-to-back.