Road warriors? Early success away from the Chase Center bodes well for the Dubs

Road warriors? Early success away from the Chase Center bodes well for the Dubs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Two seasons ago, the Warriors had one of the worst road records in the NBA, but still reached the Western Conference semifinals. Now that they’re proving to be one of the best road teams in the league this season, there’s legitimate reason to believe they can go even further.

Golden State’s 118-112 win over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on Wednesday was the Warriors’ third straight win on this pivotal road trip that concludes with trips to Cleveland and Oklahoma City.

“This was our test right here, to see where we (are),” Gary Payton II said on NBC Sports Bay Area’s “Warriors Postgame Live” show. “We knew they were going to bring out our best game, so we had to come out here and show what we can do.”

It was actually a good litmus test for the Warriors, by far their toughest of the 2024-25 NBA season. That Golden State won as handily as it did while playing away from the Chase Center is another encouraging sign and something the Warriors are getting pretty good at.

This is the first time the Warriors have won their first five road games since winning 14 straight to open the 2015-16 season. That year, Golden State set an NBA record with 73 regular season wins.

“We’re capable of beating anybody,” Stephen Curry said. “It’s difficult. You have to accept the challenge, but it’s another year. We’re trying to take small steps and develop an identity.”

The Warriors have won seven consecutive regular-season games dating back to last season, although the 2023-2024 campaign ended with a loss to the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament at the Golden 1 Center.

Coach Steve Kerr’s squad has actually won 22 of its previous 26 road games, something the Warriors hadn’t done since the 2017-18 season.

“Obviously, Boston was without Jaylen Brown and (Kristaps) Porzingis, so this wasn’t their best version of their team, but they’re still damn good,” Kerr said. “It was a hell of a win in a tough environment.”

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