Basketball is weird now. Everyone shoots threes. Everyone plays fast. But when you load up highlights Golden State Warriors fans have been obsessing over for a decade, it’s not just about the volume of shots. It is about the chaos. The beautiful, orchestrated, "how-did-he-find-him" chaos. Honestly, if you watch a random regular-season game in 2026, you see a lot of teams trying to copy the blueprint, but they usually miss the secret sauce.
Steph Curry is still the sun. Everything orbits him.
Even as the roster ages and the "Dynasty" labels get debated to death by talking heads on ESPN, the film doesn't lie. Most teams run plays. The Warriors run a system of read-and-react movements that makes defenders look like they're trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while running a marathon. It’s exhausting to watch, let alone play against.
The Geometry of a Warriors Highlight
You’ve seen the clip. Draymond Green gets the rebound. He doesn't look for a point guard; he is the point guard. He’s barreling down the lane like a tight end. Suddenly, Steph and Klay (or whatever shooter is filling those shoes this week) sprint to opposite corners. The defender has a split second to decide: do I stop the ball or stay with the greatest shooter ever? They usually choose wrong.
That’s the "gravity" effect.
Steve Kerr’s offense isn't built on traditional sets. It’s built on the fact that Stephen Curry is terrifying to coaches even when he’s 40 feet from the hoop. When you're digging through highlights Golden State Warriors archives, look at the off-ball screens. Most casual fans watch the guy with the ball. Don't do that. Watch the guy without the ball. Watch how Buddy Hield or Brandin Podziemski uses a pindown screen to create a four-on-three advantage.
It’s basically math. High-speed math.
Why the "Third Quarter Warriors" Became a Meme
There was a stretch of years—and it still happens in flashes—where the Warriors would be down by 10 at halftime and you just knew it was over for the other team. The "Third Quarter Warriors" aren't a myth. It’s a conditioning thing. They play at such a frantic pace in the first half that opponents' legs start to get heavy around the eight-minute mark of the third.
Then comes the avalanche.
A layup. A steal. A transition three. A timeout. Another three.
Suddenly, a 2-point lead is a 14-point lead. The Oracle Arena (and now Chase Center) crowd gets that specific "roar" that sounds more like a jet engine than a group of people. If you're looking for the best highlights Golden State Warriors have to offer, just search for "Warriors 3rd quarter run." It’s a masterclass in psychological warfare.
Draymond Green: The Highlight Reel Nobody Likes (Except Coaches)
Draymond won't ever have a 50-point game. He might not even have a 20-point game. But his defensive highlights are probably more important to the team’s win-loss column than almost anyone else.
He’s a genius.
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Watch a highlight of him defending a two-on-one fastbreak. He stays in the "No Man's Land" between the ball handler and the lob threat just long enough to freeze the play. He uses his wingspan to deflect a pass that should have been an easy dunk. It’s subtle stuff. It’s not a 30-foot jumper, but it’s why they have four rings.
The Evolution of the "Splash"
We have to talk about the shooting. Obviously.
Steph Curry changed how kids play basketball. For better or worse, every 12-year-old at the YMCA thinks a 35-footer is a good shot. But in the context of highlights Golden State Warriors footage, those shots serve a purpose. They aren't just for show. They stretch the defense so thin that it eventually snaps.
- The Relentless Motion: The Warriors lead the league in distance traveled per game almost every year.
- The High-Post Split: When a big man catches the ball at the free-throw line and two guards "split" past him? That’s 1990s Bulls triangle offense updated for the modern era.
- The 'Look-Off' Pass: Steph is underrated as a playmaker. He’ll look at the rafters and whip a pass to a cutting Trayce Jackson-Davis.
The Reality of the "Post-Dynasty" Era
Look, things aren't the same as they were in 2017. The league caught up. The Oklahoma City Thunders and Boston Celtics of the world have the length and youth to switch everything.
When you watch highlights Golden State Warriors produce today, you see more struggle. More grit. It’s not always a 20-point blowout. Sometimes it’s Steph having to hunt for a switch against a seven-footer and hitting a step-back just to keep them in the game. Honestly, these highlights are almost more impressive. It’s harder to be great when everyone knows your tricks.
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There's a common misconception that the Warriors are "finesse." That they’re soft.
Ask anyone who has had to chase Steph Curry through 50 screens in a single game if he’s soft. He’s one of the best-conditioned athletes in the history of professional sports. His "highlights" are the result of thousands of hours of track work and core stability training. You don't hit "The Night Night" shot in the Olympics or the Finals without being stronger than you look.
How to Analyze a Warriors Highlight Like a Pro
Next time you’re scrolling through YouTube or Twitter looking for GSW clips, try to spot the "Pre-Screen."
Often, before the main action happens, a Warriors player will set a "screen away" from the ball. This forces a defender to make a choice before the play even starts. If the defender cheats, the play is already over.
- The "Flare" Screen: Watch for Steph moving away from the ball toward the sideline.
- The "DHO" (Dribble Hand-Off): This is their bread and butter. Draymond or Kevon Looney hands the ball to a shooter while simultaneously acting as a wall. It’s nearly impossible to guard without switching.
- The Backdoor Cut: Because teams are so terrified of the three-pointer, they overplay the line. The Warriors punish this with simple backdoor cuts more than almost any team in the NBA.
The brilliance isn't just the shot; it's the 14 seconds of sprinting that happened before the shot.
What's Next for the Highlights?
We’re in the sunset years of the original core. It’s bittersweet. But the highlights are getting more creative as they have to rely on guile instead of raw speed. We’re seeing more of the young core—guys like Podziemski and Kuminga—integrating into the "Golden State Way."
If you want to truly appreciate the highlights Golden State Warriors are putting out right now, stop focusing on the score. Focus on the spacing. Notice how there is always—always—someone moving.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
To get the most out of your film study or casual viewing, focus on these three things:
- Follow the Screener: Don't watch the ball. Watch the person who just set the screen. Usually, they are the one who actually ends up open after the defense panics.
- Watch the "Gap": Notice how much space is between the defender and the shooter. For the Warriors, "open" means the defender is two feet away. For everyone else, that's "smothered."
- Listen to the Crowd: In Warriors home highlights, the crowd reacts to the pass, not just the shot. They've been trained to see the play developing. If the crowd starts to rise before the ball leaves Steph's hands, you know you're about to see something special.
The era of Golden State dominance might be shifting, but the way they play basketball remains the most aesthetically pleasing version of the sport ever invented. It's fast. It's risky. It's loud. And it’s why we keep clicking on those highlight reels.
To see the newest tactical shifts, check out the latest "All-22" or "Tactical Feed" breakdowns on YouTube from creators like Thinking Basketball. They strip away the broadcast angles and show you the full-court movement. Seeing the 94-foot view makes you realize that what looks like a lucky shot is actually a perfectly timed chess move. Also, pay attention to the end-of-quarter possessions; Steve Kerr almost always saves his best "AOB" (After Out of Bounds) plays for these moments. Watch how they use Steph as a decoy to get an easy layup for a bench player. That’s the real Warriors basketball.