The Golden State Warriors are currently navigating a high-stakes stretch of the 2025-26 NBA season. If you’re wondering who will the warriors play next, the answer is the Charlotte Hornets. They tip off tonight, Saturday, January 17, at 5:30 PM PST right at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
Honestly, the energy around the team feels different this week. After a solid 126-113 win over the New York Knicks just two days ago, Golden State is sitting at 23-19. They’re eighth in a Western Conference that feels like a blender—everyone is getting squeezed.
💡 You might also like: Who won the 2010 NBA Finals: The Gritty Reality of the Lakers Celtics War
The Immediate Slate: Staying at Chase Center
The Dubs are in the middle of a four-game homestand. It’s a crucial "get-right" window. Following the Hornets tonight, they have a quick turnaround.
- Monday, Jan 19 vs. Miami Heat (7:00 PM PST): This is the big MLK Day game. It’s also notable because it’s the first time Andrew Wiggins returns to Chase Center after the off-season moves. Expect a tribute video and a lot of emotions.
- Tuesday, Jan 20 vs. Toronto Raptors (7:00 PM PST): A back-to-back. These are always a toss-up for the veterans’ legs.
The Hornets game tonight is basically a must-win. Charlotte is 15-26 and struggling. If the Warriors want to climb out of that No. 8 seed, they can't drop games to teams below .500 at home.
How to Watch the Upcoming Games
If you aren't heading down to Thrive City, here is the broadcast situation:
- Local TV: NBC Sports Bay Area.
- Streaming: NBA League Pass (subject to blackouts).
- Radio: 95.7 The Game.
A Look at the Roster and Injuries
Stephen Curry is still playing like a man ten years younger. He’s averaging around 28 points a game and just dropped a masterclass against the Knicks. But the big story this season has been the integration of Jimmy Butler.
🔗 Read more: Brooklyn NY Nets T Shirt Style: Why the Black and White Look Still Rules the Borough
Yeah, it still feels weird seeing Jimmy in a Warriors jersey.
But it’s working. When Curry and Butler are on the floor together, the Warriors have a net rating that rivals the top teams in the West. Draymond Green is still the defensive anchor, though we know how that goes—every game is a gamble on his technical foul count.
The Injury Report
The team is relatively healthy, which is a miracle for mid-January.
- Gui Santos: He’s the big question mark. He tweaked an ankle in the first quarter of the Knicks game. He’s been ruled out for tonight and likely for the next few.
- Seth Curry: Still out with those sciatic nerve issues. He hasn’t played in 14 games. He’s due for a re-evaluation in about two weeks, but don't count on him for this homestand.
- Jonathan Kuminga: Fully healthy and seeing more minutes as the primary spark off the bench.
Why the Next Five Games Decide the Season
After this home stretch, the Warriors hit a brutal road trip.
They head to Dallas on January 22nd to face Luka Doncic and the Mavs. Then, they have a double-header in Minnesota against the Timberwolves on the 24th and 26th. The Wolves actually knocked the Warriors out of the playoffs last year, so there’s some bad blood there.
Basically, the Warriors need to sweep this homestand. If they go 3-0 against the Hornets, Heat, and Raptors, they enter that road trip with momentum. If they stumble now, they might find themselves slipping into the bottom of the play-in tournament standings.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're tracking who will the warriors play next, you should keep an eye on the Western Conference standings daily. The gap between the 5th seed and the 10th seed is razor-thin.
- Check the Lineups: Watch for news about 30 minutes before tip-off. Steve Kerr has been known to shuffle the starting five, especially with the back-to-back coming up on Monday/Tuesday.
- Manage Expectations: This team is 15-6 at home but only 8-13 on the road. The schedule favors them right now, so these home wins are the "banked" points they need for later.
- Key Matchup to Watch: Tonight, watch how Trayce Jackson-Davis handles the Hornets' interior. With the Warriors playing small-ball lineups often, TJD's rim protection is the unsung hero of their recent 7-3 run over the last ten games.
Keep your remote handy and the injury wire open. The road to the 2026 playoffs is getting very crowded.