For the Golden State Warriors, a strong case of déjà vu is upon them. The 2023–24 season has taken a turn for the worse after an impressive start of 6-2 led by MVP-caliber play from Stephen Curry, a smooth transition of new summer addition Chris Paul, and a camaraderie that was lacking from the previous campaign.

The Warriors’ offensive ranking dropped to 25th over their last nine games, after they had been in the top 10 through their first eight games. A six-game losing run, Curry’s two-game absence due to a right knee strain, and Draymond Green’s five-game suspension for choking Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert are all part of their 2-7 losing record.

Curry missed two months of the previous season due to a left shoulder injury sustained in December, and Golden State’s relationship was shattered by Green’s preseason punch to now-former teammate Jordan Poole. Coach Steve Kerr claimed the club never fully recovered from this incident.

The Warriors are once again facing early challenges as they battle to stay above the Western Conference’s bottom five, with Curry back (Golden State is 2-2 since he returned on Nov. 20) and Green scheduled to return from his suspension on Tuesday night for another game against the Sacramento Kings in both teams’ in-season tournament group stage finale.

The answers to these queries could indicate Golden State’s ceiling for 2023–2024.

What does Green do next?

The day after the league imposed its punishment, Kerr, who had earlier defended Green, had harsh words for his veteran forward, calling it “inexcusable,” and adding that the organization needs to figure out how to ensure he doesn’t cross that line again.

However, this is not the first time in as many seasons that a violent incident involving Green has marred the Warriors’ season’s opening stretch. According to those inside the organization, the club lost its season before it even started as a result of Green’s altercation with Poole during last year’s training camp.

Green’s most recent ban probably won’t ruin this season, a team insider told ESPN, but it came at a bad time—during a three-game losing skid and without Curry in the starting lineup.

While one team source told ESPN that the Warriors lost the ability to discipline Green when they failed to hold him responsible for hitting Poole, another league source told ESPN that the team will support Green no matter what he does.

According to insiders, Green expressed regret to his teammates for the Gobert incident, and they all accepted his apologies.

Green, who inked a four-year, $100 million contract extension this summer, is still an important member of the Warriors, especially on defense, so they can live with him. According to Second Spectrum statistics, the eight-time All-Defensive Team selection has limited opponents to 41.6% shooting over the last two seasons when serving as the closest defender. This is the lowest rate allowed among 156 players to defend 700 shots.

However, that patience may wear thin if Green is no longer a productive player, according to a team source.

That won’t happen this season, and it won’t change Green’s strategy.

For the first time since his ban, Green told reporters on Sunday, “The way I play basketball has gotten me here.” “The way I play basketball has brought me a tremendous amount of success, individually and from a team standpoint, so I will always be myself.”