Warriors playoff push begins in earnest tonight against Kings

SAN FRANCISCO — The push is officially on.With Steph Curry, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford set to share the floor for the first time Friday against the Kings, the Warriors begin an abbreviated dress rehearsal for what they hope can turn into an improbable playoff run from the bottom position in the Western Conference.Can the veteran trio jell quickly and smoothly enough to carry Golden State through two win-or-go-home games on the road for a crack against the defending champion Thunder?That is what coach Steve Kerr and Co.will try to decipher in two final regular season games that don’t otherwise carry much weight.

In the meantime, third-year guard Brandin Podziemski was asked what gave him confidence in an aging roster that has been decimated by injuries.“I mean, we got Steph,” he said.And with Curry comes something else.“We’ve got some hope,” Kerr said. That hope is rooted in the belief that Thursday’s 119-103 loss to the Lakers will be the last time they play without Curry, Porzingis or Horford.The trio played only 28 of a possible 87 games since the trade deadline — none all together until Friday night in Sacramento.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story A postseason path that would require two road wins and four flights just to earn another home game presents other complications, but the lack of back-to-backs does provide some optimism for the availability of the veteran trio all managing their health in one way or another.“Obviously, we’ve been through the ringer here over the last six, eight weeks,” Kerr said.

“But we’re in a position where we have a chance to get into the playoffs, have some guys getting healthy (and) have a chance to hopefully … get a couple games to develop a rhythm and get a good swing at it.”...