On Wednesday evening, the Golden State Warriors will step into a high-stakes Western Conference play-in showdown against the LA Clippers, but they’ll have to do so without one of their emerging frontcourt pieces.
The Warriors have officially ruled out center Quinten Post for the 9/10 play-in game due to injury management. The announcement comes just days after Golden State suffered a 115-110 loss to the Clippers on the final day of the regular season — a game in which Post also did not play.
According to Underdog NBA, Post has been listed out for Wednesday’s matchup as the team continues to manage his recovery. The second-year big man has been sidelined since last month and will miss yet another critical contest as the Warriors attempt to extend their season.
Post wrapped up the 2025-26 regular season averaging 7.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game across 67 appearances. He shot 44.0% from the field and 33.6% from beyond the three-point arc, providing valuable spacing and rim protection when healthy. His absence leaves a noticeable void in Golden State’s rotation, particularly on the glass and in floor-spacing duties.
The Warriors enter the play-in as the 10th seed in the Western Conference with a 37-45 record. They have struggled down the stretch, winning just three of their last ten games and currently riding a three-game losing skid. On the road, Golden State has been even more challenged, posting a 15-26 record across 41 away games.
Despite the recent woes, the veteran-laden squad remains motivated to win twice this week and advance through the play-in tournament. Head coach Steve Kerr has indicated a clean preliminary injury report aside from Post, with the expectation that the available players — including stars like Steph Curry — will be ready. Kerr has also signaled plans for a 10- or 11-man rotation while carefully managing minutes for veterans such as Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, none of whom are expected to approach 40 minutes in the contest.
Still, questions linger about the organization’s long-term outlook. As ESPN’s Anthony Slater noted, it’s fair to wonder whether a loss in the play-in might actually serve Golden State better in the bigger picture after reaching the second round of the 2025 playoffs before falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The franchise’s last championship came in 2022, and another early exit could accelerate conversations about roster reconstruction.
On the other side, the Clippers sit as the ninth seed with a stronger 42-40 record. They have been much more comfortable at home, going 23-18 in 41 games at the Intuit Dome (formerly Crypto.com Arena). After losing in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, LA will be eager to capitalize on their home-court advantage and the Warriors’ injury issues.
With Post sidelined, Golden State’s frontcourt depth will be tested once again. The outcome of Wednesday’s matchup could hinge on how effectively the Warriors’ remaining bigs and perimeter talent can compensate for his absence in what promises to be a tense, elimination-style environment.
The winner of the 9/10 game advances to face the loser of the 7/8 matchup, keeping playoff dreams alive for at least one more night. For the Warriors, the path forward just got a little steeper with this latest bombshell announcement.