If the Golden State Warriors manage to stay healthy in the 2025-26 NBA season, and the Dallas Mavericks continue on their current trajectory of growth and dominance with Luka Dončić and Victor Wembanyama leading the charge, a potential Western Conference Finals showdown between these two titans would be nothing short of an all-out basketball war. The clash would feature old-school championship DNA squaring off against a new-school revolution led by transcendent talent and tactical evolution. It would be experience and legacy against innovation and a rising dynasty in the making. In every way imaginable, this would be the Western Conference’s dream scenario.
The Golden State Warriors, assuming full health, would roll into the postseason with their championship trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green still forming the emotional and strategic core of the franchise. Add to that the presence of a matured Jonathan Kuminga, a more seasoned Moses Moody, and the potential veteran brilliance of a rejuvenated Chris Paul or a smart offseason pickup, and the Warriors are no longer just riding on nostalgia. They’re competing with a complete roster that knows how to execute under playoff pressure. By the 2025-26 season, Golden State is no longer simply defending their past glory—they’re actively rewriting their final chapter, and they’re looking to punctuate it with a final ring before their big three potentially ride off into the sunset.
On the other side, the Dallas Mavericks of 2026 may very well be the most terrifying team on paper. Luka Dončić, the Slovenian savant, already an MVP-caliber player for several seasons, would have further refined his game and leadership. Alongside him, the addition of Victor Wembanyama—should such a pairing indeed materialize as many insiders speculate—would create a duo that blends generational talent with positional versatility never before seen in the league. Dončić’s control of tempo, elite passing, and fearless scoring would be amplified by the defensive gravity and offensive ceiling of Wembanyama, whose shot-blocking, ball-handling, and shooting touch defy traditional positional definitions.
The tactical matchup between these two teams would be riveting from every angle. Steve Kerr’s ball-movement-heavy offense, rooted in principles of spacing, screens, and read-and-react dynamics, would be tested by a Mavericks team that leans into more modern pick-and-roll efficiency, isolation brilliance from Dončić, and Wembanyama’s versatility as both a rim protector and an offensive unicorn. Kerr’s experience in adjusting his schemes in real time would go up against the Mavericks’ coaching staff, possibly still under Jason Kidd or a new voice more in tune with analytics and the modern pace-and-space game. The chess match would be intricate, intense, and as much mental as it is physical.
Stephen Curry, even at 37 or 38 years old during the 2026 postseason, remains the most dangerous shooter in NBA history. His ability to stretch defenses, relocate, and hit impossible shots would still demand the Mavericks to either trap high, switch aggressively, or funnel him into help—none of which are ideal options. While Wembanyama could theoretically help cover the pick-and-rolls involving Curry, the problem is Curry’s timing and quick release make most traditional coverages obsolete. Curry’s presence also warps defenses to the point that even aging role players around him find space and rhythm shots they might not get on any other team.
Klay Thompson, if healthy and locked in, would provide floor spacing and perimeter defense that keeps the Mavericks from fully committing to any one defensive scheme. While he may not be the lockdown defender of old, Thompson’s playoff experience and ability to catch fire in big moments cannot be understated. Meanwhile, Draymond Green would function as the connective tissue, anchoring the defense and serving as the team’s playmaking hub in the half court. His defensive IQ, especially in reading Luka Dončić’s manipulations in the pick-and-roll, would be pivotal to the Warriors’ chances.
Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody would be the true wild cards in the series. By 2026, both should be entering their primes, having learned the Warriors’ system and earned Kerr’s trust. Kuminga’s athleticism, defensive potential, and growing offensive game would be needed to try to keep pace with the size and speed of Wembanyama and other Mavs forwards. Moody’s shooting and perimeter defense would be necessary to slow down the Mavericks’ spacing and perimeter attack, especially if the team surrounds Luka and Wembanyama with knockdown shooters and athletic wings.
Now, consider the Mavericks’ side. Luka Dončić thrives in the playoffs because of his tempo control and feel for the game. He can break down a defense in isolation or pick-and-roll settings with unteachable patience and vision. He would go after Curry relentlessly on switches, trying to exhaust the Warriors’ star with repeated drives and physicality. But it’s the presence of Wembanyama that takes this potential matchup into mythological territory. If he continues to develop as expected—becoming more durable, improving his strength, and refining his decision-making—he may be the most unguardable player in the NBA by 2026. His wingspan erases shots defensively while his offensive bag includes three-point range, mid-post moves, lobs, and put-backs.
The rest of the Mavericks roster—whether they retain players like Josh Green, Dereck Lively II, or bring in new key contributors—will be vital in complementing their superstar duo. Floor spacing, defensive switching, and rebounding will all play outsized roles in trying to counter the Warriors’ precision offense and relentless movement. The Mavericks will need athletic wings to chase around Curry and Thompson, strong communicators on defense to navigate the Warriors’ constant off-ball screens, and interior presence to battle Green and Looney—or whoever anchors the paint—for 48 minutes.
One intangible in this hypothetical but exhilarating Western Conference Finals would be the psychological dynamic. The Warriors bring rings, experience, scars, and championship poise. They’ve been to the mountaintop and know how to win games in hostile environments. They’ve collapsed, rebuilt, and still returned to contend. In contrast, the Mavericks—especially if they’ve made recent playoff strides in the years leading up to 2026—are a team on the verge of creating their own legacy. Luka Dončić is already considered a playoff warrior, but he hasn’t yet held the Larry O’Brien trophy. For him, this could be the biggest stage to finally dethrone the old guard.
This clash could come down to very specific moments—a timely charge taken by Green, a clutch three from Curry, a Wembanyama block that swings momentum, or a Dončić step-back three that silences Chase Center or erupts American Airlines Center. It would be a showcase of physical execution and mental toughness. The margin for error would be razor-thin. Both teams have the potential to make adjustments mid-series. Coaches would be tested, rotations shortened, and game plans altered nightly. The pressure would be immense. Each game would feel like a battle of generations.
