History of the Golden State Warriors facts for kids

The history of the Golden State Warriors basketball team started in Philadelphia in 1946. In 1962, the team moved to San Francisco, California, and was called the San Francisco Warriors. Then, in 1971, its name changed to the Golden State Warriors, which it still is today. The Warriors won their first championship in the 1946–47 season. They have won six more since then: one more in Philadelphia (1955–56) and five as the Golden State Warriors (1974–75, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, and 2021–22).

Early Years: Philadelphia (1946–1962)

Founding and First Championships

Early Warriors stars Joe Fulks (#10) and Paul Arizin (#11) were amazing scorers.

The Warriors began in Philadelphia in 1946 as the Philadelphia Warriors. They were one of the first teams in the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later became the NBA. The team's owner, Peter A. Tyrrell, hired Eddie Gottlieb as coach and general manager. Gottlieb named the team "Warriors" after an older Philadelphia team he had started.

Some people today, like basketball player Carmelo Anthony, have suggested changing the name because "Warriors" can be linked to Native American symbols. However, the team's management says the name now honors the U.S. military.

Led by a great scorer named Joe Fulks, the Warriors won the league's first championship in the 1946–47 season. They beat the Chicago Stags four games to one. In 1949, Fulks set an NBA record by scoring 63 points in one game, a record that lasted over 10 years.

The Warriors won their second championship as a Philadelphia team in the 1955–56 season. They defeated the Fort Wayne Pistons four games to one. The team's stars during this time were future Hall of Famers Paul Arizin, Tom Gola, and Neil Johnston. Arizin and Johnston were top scorers in the league for several years.

Wilt Chamberlain Joins the Team (1959–1962)

Wilt Chamberlain broke many scoring and rebounding records as a Warrior.

In 1959, the team signed Wilt Chamberlain, a talented player from Philadelphia. Chamberlain, known as "Wilt the Stilt," quickly started breaking NBA scoring and rebounding records. He changed how basketball was played. In his first season, he was named NBA Rookie of the Year and the league's MVP. He averaged an incredible 37.6 points and 27.0 rebounds per game.

In his second season, he set records by averaging 27.2 rebounds per game and grabbing 55 rebounds in a single game. On March 2, 1962, Chamberlain made history by scoring 100 points against the New York Knicks. This single-game record is still one of the NBA's most famous moments. That season, his third, Chamberlain averaged an amazing 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds per game.

Moving West: San Francisco (1962–1971)

In 1962, Franklin Mieuli bought the team and moved it to the San Francisco Bay Area. The team was renamed the San Francisco Warriors. They played most home games at the Cow Palace in Daly City, near San Francisco. Sometimes, they also played in nearby cities like Oakland and San Jose. In their first season in San Francisco, Chamberlain continued to lead the league in scoring and rebounding.

Nate Thurmond was a strong scorer and rebounder for the Warriors.

Before the 1963–64 season, the Warriors drafted Nate Thurmond. He played alongside Chamberlain. The Warriors won their division title that year but lost the NBA championship to the Boston Celtics, led by Bill Russell.

During the 1964–65 season, the Warriors traded Wilt Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers. The team then struggled, winning only 17 games. However, they drafted Rick Barry in the first round. Barry was named the 1965–66 NBA Rookie of the Year. As the Oakland Coliseum Arena opened in 1966, the Warriors started playing more home games there.

In the 1966–67 season, Barry was the league's top scorer, and Nate Thurmond was a top rebounder. They led the Warriors to the NBA Finals but lost to the Philadelphia 76ers. Barry scored an amazing 40.8 points per game during those Finals. After that season, Barry left the team for a rival league due to a contract dispute.

The Warriors changed their name to the Golden State Warriors for the 1971–72 season. They started playing almost all home games in Oakland. This made them the only NBA team not named after their state or city, though "Golden State" is a famous nickname for California. Rick Barry rejoined the Warriors in 1972.

Oakland Era: Championships and Star Players (1974–2018)

Championship Glory (1974–1976)

Rick Barry was named the NBA Finals MVP in 1975.

The 1974–75 team was coached by former Warrior Al Attles. It was led by Rick Barry and Jamaal Wilkes. Wilkes was named NBA Rookie of the Year. Barry had an amazing season, leading the league in scoring and steals. In what many call a huge upset, the Warriors defeated the favored Washington Bullets in a four-game sweep to win the championship. Barry was named the NBA Finals MVP.

The next season, 1975–76, the Warriors had the best record in the league. However, they were upset in the Western Conference Finals by the Phoenix Suns.

Building New Stars (1976–1997)

After their championship run, the Warriors faced challenges. Key players left due to trades or retirement. The team struggled for several years. However, they drafted talented players like Purvis Short (1978), Eric "Sleepy" Floyd (1982), and Joe Barry Carroll (1980). They also drafted Robert Parish in 1976, who was later traded to the Boston Celtics.

In 1986, the team hired George Karl as head coach. They also drafted Chris Mullin in the 1985 NBA draft. Mullin became a sharpshooting small forward who would change the team's direction.

The "Run TMC" Era

A ticket from a 1988–89 Warriors game.

The Warriors had a brief comeback in the late 1980s with coach Karl. A famous game from this time was in 1987 against the Lakers. Warriors All-Star point guard Sleepy Floyd had an incredible second half, scoring 29 points in one quarter and 39 in one half, both NBA playoff records. This game helped increase interest in the NBA in the Bay Area.

New coach Don Nelson then led another successful period. He had a high-scoring trio of players: point guard Tim Hardaway, guard Mitch Richmond, and forward Chris Mullin. They were known as "Run TMC" (after the rap group Run-D.M.C.). However, Nelson later traded Richmond, breaking up the "Run TMC" group.

In the 1993–94 season, with rookie Chris Webber playing alongside Latrell Sprewell, the Warriors made the playoffs. But soon, problems arose between Webber, Sprewell, and Nelson. All three left the team, and the organization struggled.

The team changed ownership in 1994–95. They drafted Joe Smith with the first pick in the 1995 NBA draft, but he didn't become a superstar like some other players drafted that year. In 1997, Sprewell faced a suspension after an incident with his coach during practice. Mullin was also traded, ending the "Run TMC" era.

Struggles and Rebuilding (1997–2009)

The Warriors went through a tough period, often missing the playoffs. They drafted some good players like Jason Richardson (a two-time NBA slam dunk champion) and Antawn Jamison. With these rising stars and guard Gilbert Arenas, the team seemed to be improving. However, they couldn't keep Arenas, which was a big loss for fans.

Chris Mullin, a former Warriors star, became the team's general manager. He tried to build the team around Jason Richardson, Mike Dunleavy Jr., and Troy Murphy. He added experienced players like Derek Fisher and drafted 7-foot center Andris Biedriņš. In 2005, Mullin acquired guard Baron Davis, bringing a "superstar" back to the team.

The "We Believe" Era (2006–07)

Before the 2006–07 season, the Warriors had missed the playoffs for 12 straight seasons. Fans hoped for a change with Don Nelson as coach and a healthy Baron Davis, along with improving stars like Jason Richardson, Monta Ellis, and Andris Biedriņš.

In January 2007, the Warriors made a big trade, acquiring Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson. This made the team more athletic and focused on a fast-paced "run and gun" style of play. After a tough start, the Warriors turned their season around. They finished with a 16–5 run, earning a playoff spot. Their slogan became "We Believe."

The Warriors playing the Jazz in the 2007 Playoffs.

On April 22, 2007, the Warriors played their first playoff game in 13 years. They beat the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks, who had won 67 games. The Warriors became the first #8 seed to beat a #1 seed in a seven-game series. This was the Warriors' first playoff series win in 16 years. They then played the Utah Jazz in the next round but lost the series.

Roster Changes (2007–09)

After their playoff run, the Warriors had high hopes. However, they traded Jason Richardson and faced injuries and suspensions. Despite these challenges, the team played well, with Baron Davis, Monta Ellis, and Stephen Jackson all scoring over 20 points per game.

In January 2008, Chris Webber briefly rejoined the team, but injuries limited his play. The Warriors stayed in playoff contention until the very end of the season. They finished with a 48–34 record, their best in 14 years. But in a very strong Western Conference, they missed the playoffs because every team that made it won at least 50 games.

In 2008, Baron Davis left the Warriors to sign with another team. To replace him, the Warriors signed Corey Maggette and drafted Anthony Randolph. They also re-signed Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins to long-term contracts. The 2008–09 season was disappointing, with many injuries to key players. However, young players like Anthony Randolph showed great promise for the future.

The Stephen Curry Era Begins (2009–Present)

In May 2009, Larry Riley became the new general manager. He drafted Stephen Curry with the 7th overall pick. Curry would become one of the greatest players in NBA history. The Warriors made several trades to reshape their roster, bringing in players like David Lee and Dorell Wright.

In July 2010, owner Chris Cohan sold the Warriors to Joe Lacob and Peter Guber for a record $450 million. The team also updated its logo and uniforms, bringing back a classic look.

The Warriors continued to struggle for a few seasons. In 2011, Mark Jackson was hired as head coach. The 2011–12 season was shortened by a lockout, and the team faced many injuries. Team leader Monta Ellis was traded, which allowed Stephen Curry and David Lee to become team captains. Young guard Klay Thompson, drafted in 2011, also moved into a starting role.

In the 2012 NBA draft, the Warriors drafted Harrison Barnes, Festus Ezeli, and Draymond Green. These players would become crucial to the team's future success. Despite more injuries, the Warriors had one of their best starts in decades in the 2012–13 season. They clinched a playoff spot for the first time since the "We Believe" era.

The "Splash Brothers": Stephen Curry (left) and Klay Thompson (right)

The team finished the 2012–13 season with a 47–35 record. They defeated the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs but lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the second round. This was the first playoff experience for most of the team's starters.

Stephen Curry set an NBA single-season record with 272 three-point baskets, earning him the nickname "baby-faced assassin." Curry and Klay Thompson, known as the "Splash Brothers" for their amazing shooting, combined for 483 three-pointers that season, breaking an NBA record.

First Title in 40 Years (2014–15)

On May 14, 2014, the Warriors named Steve Kerr as their new head coach. Kerr was a five-time NBA champion as a player and had experience as a general manager.

The Warriors had an incredible 2014–15 season, finishing with a league-best 67–15 record. This was the most wins in franchise history. They were also one of the best teams in both offense and defense. On May 4, Stephen Curry was named the NBA Most Valuable Player, the first Warrior to win the award since Wilt Chamberlain in 1960.

In the playoffs, they swept the New Orleans Pelicans, defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, and then beat the Houston Rockets to reach their first NBA Finals since 1975. In the Finals, they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games to win their fourth NBA title, and their first in 40 years! Andre Iguodala was named Finals MVP.

Stephen Curry broke his own record for three-pointers made in a single season with 286. He and Klay Thompson combined for 525 three-pointers, the most by any duo in NBA history. Curry also broke the record for most three-pointers made in a single postseason.

Historic Season and Finals Defeat (2015–16)

The Warriors started the 2015–16 season by winning their first 24 games, setting a new NBA record for the best start in history. They also set an NBA record with 54 consecutive regular season home wins.

Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson were all named to the All-Star Game. Green broke the team record for triple-doubles in a season. Curry broke many three-point records, including his own NBA record for three-pointers in a season, finishing with an incredible 402. He also made a three-pointer in 151 consecutive games, an NBA record.

On April 13, 2016, Golden State set the record for most wins in a single season, finishing 73–9. This broke the record held by the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls team led by Michael Jordan. On May 10, Stephen Curry was named NBA Most Valuable Player for the second straight season, becoming the first player in NBA history to win the award by a unanimous vote.

In the playoffs, the Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, and then came back from a 3–1 deficit to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games. They reached their second straight NBA Finals, again facing the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Warriors took a 3–1 lead in the series, but the Cavaliers won the next three games to win the championship. This made the Warriors the first team to lose a 3–1 lead in the NBA Finals.

The Dynasty: Back-to-Back Titles (2016–18)

"Death Lineup" (2015–2019)

Stephen Curry

Klay Thompson

Andre Iguodala

Kevin Durant

Draymond Green

On July 4, 2016, Kevin Durant announced he would leave the Oklahoma City Thunder to sign with the Golden State Warriors. This signing gave the Warriors a fourth All-NBA player on their team and made them strong favorites to win the NBA championship.

The Warriors had many achievements in the 2016–17 regular season. Stephen Curry set an NBA record for most 3-pointers in a game with 13. Klay Thompson scored 60 points in just 29 minutes, a historic performance. Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson were all named to the 2017 NBA All-Star Game, making the Warriors one of only eight teams in NBA history to have four All-Stars.

The Warriors earned home-court advantage throughout the 2017 playoffs with a 67–15 record. They became the first team in NBA playoff history to start 12–0, sweeping their first three opponents. The 2017 Finals once again featured the Warriors against the Cavaliers, marking the first time two teams met in the Finals for three years in a row. The Warriors won the championship, going 4–1 in the Finals. Their 16–1 playoff record was the best winning percentage in NBA playoffs history. Kevin Durant was named the Finals MVP.

The Warriors finished the next regular season (2017–18) with a 58–24 record. They defeated the San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Pelicans, and then the Houston Rockets in the playoffs. This led to their fourth straight Finals matchup with the Cavaliers. On June 8, 2018, the Golden State Warriors swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games, winning their second consecutive championship and third in four years. This established them as a true dynasty.

Fifth Straight Finals and Final Oakland Season (2018–19)

The Warriors finished the 2018–19 regular season with a 57–25 record, winning their division and securing the top seed in the Western Conference. In the playoffs, Golden State defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, and Portland Trail Blazers to reach the 2019 NBA Finals. This was their fifth consecutive Finals appearance.

They faced the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors took a 3–1 lead, but the Warriors fought back to make it 3–2. However, in Game 6, Klay Thompson suffered a serious knee injury and could not finish the game. The Raptors went on to win their first title, defeating the Warriors 114–110 in Game 6. This was the Warriors' last season playing in the Oracle Arena in Oakland.

After the 2019 NBA Finals, the "Death Lineup" era ended. Kevin Durant left the Warriors for the Brooklyn Nets, and Andre Iguodala was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Return to San Francisco (2019–Present)

Injury Struggles (2019–2021)

During the 2019 off-season, the Warriors moved their home games from Oakland to the new Chase Center in San Francisco. With injuries to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the Warriors had a tough 2019–20 season, finishing with the worst record in the league.

The next season, the Warriors drafted James Wiseman. However, Klay Thompson suffered another serious injury, ending his season before it even began. Stephen Curry had an amazing season, leading the league in scoring. But the Warriors lost in the play-in tournament and missed the playoffs for the second year in a row.

The Comeback and Seventh Championship (2021–22)

During the 2021–22 NBA season, Stephen Curry was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, honoring the league's greatest players. Curry also set two new three-point records: the most three-pointers made in NBA history in the regular season, and the most three-pointers made in both the regular season and playoffs combined. Klay Thompson also made his return after being out for over two years with injuries.

The Warriors finished the season with a 53–29 record, third in the Western Conference. They reached the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2019. This was also the first time playoff games were held at the Chase Center. In the playoffs, Golden State defeated the Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, and Dallas Mavericks.

On May 26, 2022, the Warriors became the Western Conference Champions for the sixth time under coach Steve Kerr. They advanced to the 2022 NBA Finals, where they faced the Boston Celtics. They beat the Celtics in six games to win their fourth championship in eight years! Stephen Curry also won his first NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award, celebrating his fourth championship alongside Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala.

Injuries and Playoff Run (2022–23)

The 2022–23 season was challenging for the Warriors due to many injuries to key players like Curry, Thompson, and Green. Despite an up-and-down season, the team showed great determination. They finished with a 44–38 record, earning the sixth seed and a direct playoff spot.

In the first round, the Warriors faced the Sacramento Kings. The Warriors lost the first two games but then won three in a row. Sacramento forced a Game 7. In that deciding game, Stephen Curry scored an incredible 50 points in a 120–100 victory. This set a new record for the most points scored in a Game 7. With this win, the Warriors advanced to the next round, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.