Golden State Warriors
Dec 13, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) high fives forward Kevin Durant (35) during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 113-109. USA TODAY Sports/Derick E. Hingle

The Golden State Warriors (49-9) will begin their five-game road trip with a visit to the Philadelphia 76ers (22-36) at the Wells Fargo Center on Monday evening. On Saturday, the Warriors became the first team to clinch a playoff berth for the 2016-17 NBA season after routing the Brooklyn Nets 112-95 at home.

Upon clinching their 49th victory, the Warriors reached the playoffs for a franchise-first fifth consecutive season, propelling superstar point guard Stephen Curry to ponder over the years when his team was perennially lottery-bound. "I remember those days (when we weren't qualifying for the playoffs. Not a lot of guys in that locker room remember or have experienced not being on a playoff team. So, I appreciate it a lot. You never take for granted the situation we're in," said Curry, who was drafted by the Warriors in 2009.

Warriors vs Sixers: Kevin Durant still not cleared to play

The Warriors overcame the Nets without leading scorer Kevin Durant (25.7 points per game), who sat out to nurse a bruised left hand. According to ESPN, Golden State will take a call on Durant's availability on Monday morning. After visiting Philadelphia, the Warriors' five-game road trip will also include stops in Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks. "We're playing five really competitive teams in their home arenas (during this 5-game road trip). So, we've got to pack our defence in our suitcase and hopefully that shows up every night," added Curry, urging his teammates to put their best foot forward during the five-game East Coast trip.

Meanwhile, the Sixers will continue to play without rookie centre Joel Embiid, who has sat out the last 13 games due to a bone bruise and meniscus tear in his left knee. Embiid, who leads the Sixers in scoring (20.2) and rebounds (7.8), will be out of action at least until Friday's home game against the New York Knicks, the team announced over the weekend. In his stead, second-year centre Jahlil Okafor has stepped up to the plate, finishing with a season-high tally of 28 points and 10 rebounds during the Sixers' narrow 110-109 defeat to New York last Saturday. Though the Sixers have benefited from Okafor's post moves and natural scoring ability, Brett Brown & Co. are missing Embiid's defensive presence and rim protection.

Prior to last week's NBA Trade Deadline, Okafor was expected to be shipped out of Philadelphia. However, the Duke standout is hoping to finish out the season on a high, still in a Sixers uniform. "(My goal is to) just play well. Play well for myself, for the team and for the city. Just give it all I have. Have that point-five mentality and make quick decisions. I'm not doing anything slow. Everybody is trying to play well for their future," Okafor said, via The Philadelphia Inquirer. The 7-footer revealed that he spent some time in Duke during the NBA All-Star break to escape the rumour mill. "There, it was just going to classes, hanging with teammates and playing basketball. I miss that. But whenever I step on the basketball court, it's fun. I love playing the game and I am always trying to improve."

Golden State Warriors vs Philadelphia 76ers live stream: How to watch

Start time: 7:00 PM (ET), 4:00 PM (PT), 10:00 AM on Tuesday (AEST), 11:00 AM (AEDT)
On TV: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (USA), CSN Philly (USA)
Live Stream: NBA League Pass (Global)

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