Warriors rout the Trail Blazers in season-opener

Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates a 3-point made by team mate against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at Moda Center on October 23, 2024 in Portland, Oregon. .Alika Jenner/Getty Images

2024.10.23 – Warriors guard Stephen Curry had 17 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds before sitting for the fourth quarter, and the Golden State opened the season Wednesday night with a 139-104 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Guard Buddy Hield had 22 points off the bench for the Warriors, who missed out on the playoffs last year.

Portland led by as many as nine points in the opening quarter, but the Warriors pulled ahead and led 62-50 at the break. Curry had a 3-pointer to open the second half and Golden State led by as many as 37 points the rest of the way.

Portland was led by Scoot Henderson with 22 points off the bench. Shaedon Sharpe didn’t play because of a shoulder injury.

Terry Stotts, head coach of the Blazers from 2012 to 2021, is now an assistant under Steve Kerr with the Warriors. Stotts saluted the crowd in the opening quarter when the Blazers played a tribute to him on the video scoreboard.

‘We’re definitely more organized this year, I think, than we’ve been in the past. Terry has been a huge part of that,” Kerr said. “He’s added so much to our staff and given us some different stuff that we’re excited about.”

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2024.10.23 – Warriors vs. Trail Blazers (NBA Video highlights)

Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors passes the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at Moda Center on October 23, 2024 in Portland, Oregon. .Alika Jenner/Getty Images

2024.10.23 – Warriors vs. Trail Blazers (NBA Video highlights)

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2024.10.23 – Warriors vs. Trail Blazers (NBA Video highlights)

Coach Steve Kerr repeatedly hypothesized throughout Golden State’s training camp and six-game preseason, touting depth as perhaps its defining characteristic because of the way he wants the Warriors to play: with purposeful pace and 3-point volume paired with dynamic defense.

Precisely how they played in Portland.

Though the starting unit — assembled for its size and athleticism as to maximize Golden State’s defensive potential — missed its first nine shots and trailed 12-5 midway through the first quarter, Kerr summoned Hield to replace Jonathan Kuminga, igniting a series of substitutions.

By the end of the quarter, the scored was tied 21-21 and 11 had played for Golden State, including reserves Hield, Gary Payton II, De’Anthony Melton, Brandin Podziemski, Kyle Anderson and Kevon Looney.

Swingman Moses Moody started the second quarter, meaning 12 had played within 13 minutes.

By halftime, the Warriors led 62-50 behind 41 second-quarter points via eight 3-pointers.

“Our depth is going to kill people. I think it just kind of wore them out throughout the game,” said Podziemski after playing to a game-high plus-34 without scoring, instead supplying seven rebounds, four assists and a steal.

Late in the first half Draymond Green, jawed at the refs after being called for a foul and earned his first technical of the season. Kerr put an arm around Green’s shoulder and led him off the court.

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2024.10.23 – Warriors vs. Trail Blazers (NBC Sports Post Game)

Buddy Hield #7 of the Golden State Warriors drives against Anfernee Simons #1 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at Moda Center on October 23, 2024 in Portland, Oregon.

2024.10.23 – Warriors vs. Trail Blazers (NBC Sports Post Game)

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2024.10.23 – Warriors vs. Trail Blazers (NBC Sports Post Game)

By the middle of the third quarter, the Warriors were speeding past the Trail Blazers whenever the possession changed — turning a 12-point lead into 27 at quarter’s end as Portland seemingly succumbed to fatigue.

“You could feel it, just like over the course of the game — more space to operate,” Podziemski said. “We’re putting bodies in there left and right. So everybody’s fresh mentally and doing the right things all the time.”

To Podziemksi’s point, seemingly every combination was effective defensively, pressuring the ball and rotating with timeliness to discourage drives and contest shots. As a result, the Warriors found effective offense in transition or with secondary actions.

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2024.10.23 – Warriors vs. Trail Blazers (Damon Bruce & Crew Post Game)

Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors lay the ball over Simms #1 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Moda Center on October 23, 2024 in Portland, Oregon.

2024.10.23 – Warriors vs. Trail Blazers (Damon Bruce & Crew Post Game)

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2024.10.23 – Warriors vs. Trail Blazers (Damon Bruce & Crew Post Game)

Seventeen giveaways by the Trail Blazers became 22 points for the Warriors, who held Portland to 39.1% shooting, including 23.5% from 3-point range.

Golden State’s reserves outscored Portland’s 70-37. The Warriors grabbed 57 rebounds, Portland 42.

Nobody played more than 26 minutes for Golden State. Lindy Waters III and forward Gui Santos played five minutes apiece to conclude the fourth quarter.

“Everybody’s unselfish,” Hield said. “Play basketball the right way. Next pass. Best shot available. Everybody can shoot it. Everybody’s heart in the right place. Offense and defense. Playing together.”

Kerr confirmed he has not consistently utilized a 12-man rotation, having long preferred to play nine or 10 as he planned to do Monday.

Not anymore.

Said Curry: “Our energy has been great from Day 1 of training camp. It’s a beautiful locker room. Guys that are happy to be here. Happy to play the way that we do. Understand that everybody’s going to get an opportunity. Coach has done a pretty good job of explaining the situation we’re all in.

“You have to have a commitment and no agendas, no egos — well, healthy egos. When you’re out there, you know that you’re supposed to be out there, but if it’s not your night, you can’t bring the team down with your energy. I haven’t seen any red flags with that. Which has been great.”

Curry, fresh off winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympics this summer, had seven assists in the first quarter alone to move him ahead of Clyde Drexler (6,125) into 38th on the NBA’s all-time career list.