The Golden State Warriors fell to 29-27 after a 121-110 loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, and former NBA center Kendrick Perkins believes the loss underscores a bigger reality: The championship window may be closed with Stephen Curry out.
Perkins shared his stance during Friday's broadcast of First Take, arguing that Golden State's inability to make a major roster upgrade has effectively ended its title aspirations.
"Steph Curry actually had a chance to win another championship in Golden State, those days are over. His only hope was to be aggressive and try to get Giannis Antetokounmpo and from my understanding the Bucks didn't want any part of what they were trying to offer. Because I heard they were trying to include Draymond Green in the deal, that probably ruined the whole deal. Milwaukee probably said we were too good for that kind of dollar." Are."
Perkins continued to question the team's current roster construction and future flexibility.
"So when you think about where they are and what would be available on the market for them – we don't know about Jimmy Butler and how old he would be for us after his ACL injury. Draymond Green is accomplished when it comes to really being a guy that can give you real production, especially with the dollars he's making. He's not delivering... It's a shame because Steph Curry is playing at an all-time high level."
"Those days of Steph Curry actually having a chance to win another championship at Golden State, those days are over."
- Kendrick Perkins 👀
(via @FirstTech)
pic.twitter.com/WSPwaCbNTz- ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 20 February 2026
Kendrick Perkins links Warriors' title concerns to injuries, West competition
Perkins later emphasized the competitive landscape within the Western Conference.
“What friends? [are] What's going to be free is that you can pair up with Steph who is really going to move the needle? Because I say this: SGA, he's not going anywhere, Anthony Edwards is not going anywhere, Wembley, Jokic, all these guys, Luka, are still in the Western Conference. So, not being able to go get Giannis and see the production around him right now, the pieces he's got are dead birds in the tall grass. Those days of Steph winning championships in Golden State are over.”
Questions over Golden State's roster have intensified following Jimmy Butler III's torn ACL injury last month, an injury that has clouded the team's short-term outlook. Butler was viewed internally as a key veteran capable of providing postseason experience and a two-way impact upon his return the following season.
The 37-year-old Curry has continued to produce at a high level despite the team's uneven results. He averaged 27.2 points, 4.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 46.8% from the field and 39.1% from three in 39 appearances. However, Curry has been sidelined since January 30 after suffering a right knee injury during a 131–124 loss to the Detroit Pistons. The Warriors announced he would be reevaluated in 10 days.
At the trade deadline, Golden State made a notable move by acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield, indicating a desire to rearrange the roster. Additionally, the Warriors remain in eighth place in the Western Conference standings.
Golden State concludes its four-game homestand Sunday afternoon against the Denver Nuggets (35-21) at 12:30 p.m. PT on ABC. Whether Perkins' announcement proves premature or prophetic will depend on how the rebuilt roster responds once Curry returns and the postseason picture becomes clearer.
