Weakened Warriors look at risk of being dethroned

LOS ANGELES - The Golden State Warriors will be heading into uncharted territory on Saturday as they open their NBA postseason campaign against the San Antonio Spurs missing star Stephen Curry and struggling to find their best form.

For the first time since head coach Steve Kerr took over in 2014-2015, the Warriors will not enter the playoffs as owners of the NBA's best record, starting as second seeds in the Western Conference behind the Houston Rockets.

After last year's emphatic march through the postseason, when Kerr's men went 16-1 to clinch a second NBA finals crown in three seasons, beating LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals, the Warriors looked poised to dominate for years.