Warriors Stars Admit They Are Not a Championship Team After Playoff Exit

• The Golden State Warriors feel their te3am maxed out in the playoffs this season
• The Warriors were eliminated from the postseason by the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 in the second round
• It was the first time the Warriors had lost a Western Conference playoff series in the Steve Kerr era

The Golden State Warriors season ended after they lost their second-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6.

Most of their star players admitted the team "maxed out" but reiterated they are not done yet.

With their exit from the playoffs, the Lakers ended some of their streaks. Their streak of 28 straight playoff series with at least one road win and 19 straight series wins against Western Conference teams was broken. Their dreadful record on the road (11-30) ultimately caught up with them.

Stephen Curry scored 32 points on 11-of-28 shooting, but it wasn't enough to force a Game 7. Curry didn't get enough help in Game 6 from Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, or Jordan Poole, who combined for 21 points. The only other player to score in double figures was Donte DiVincenzo, who had 16 from the bench, per ESPN.

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With the season now over, the Warriors have a lot of questions in the offseason. With Curry and Thompson tied down and Draymond Green promising to stay, many expect the seven-time NBA champions to contend next season.

Warriors react to playoff exit

Warrior coach Steve Kerr said his team had an uphill battle against the Lakers.

“It felt like we were swimming upstream from the beginning,” Kerr said. “I think we found ourselves down the stretch and in the first round of the playoffs. To be fair, I think this team probably, ultimately, maxed out,” via NBC Sports.

Green echoed Kerr's comments.

“This group definitely maxed out what we could do,” Green said. “It wasn’t a championship team. We didn’t win it. But that’s our reality.”

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Curry was philosophical in his reaction.

“We lost, so that’s the hard truth at the end of the journey,” he said. “It’s not anything you allow yourself ... no competitor believes that until it’s proven you’re not a championship team."

Lakers eliminate Warriors

Sports Brief earlier reported on the Lakers knocking the Warriors out of the 2023 NBA playoffs after a 2-10 start in the regular season.

The Lakers are only the second No. 7 seed to reach the conference finals after the Seattle SuperSonics in 1987. They will now appear in their 42nd conference finals in franchise history.

LeBron James finished with 30 points on 10-for-14 shooting, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists.