The latest warriors vs trail blazers clash ended in a comfortable 119-97 victory for the Golden State Warriors, who outclassed an under-strength Portland Trail Blazers side on Tuesday night in San Francisco.
Golden State’s sharp shooting, calm game management, and superior squad depth told the story early, as Portland found it difficult to cope without its leading scorer.
How did the Warriors take control of the game?
The Warriors set the tone from the opening minutes, racing into a 38-22 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Their ball movement was crisp and purposeful, and they punished Portland’s defensive gaps by hitting eight three-pointers in the opening period alone.
By half-time, Golden State were already 26 points clear, allowing them to manage the game without ever needing to move through the gears in the second half.
The performance was particularly impressive given that Stephen Curry endured an unusually quiet scoring night.
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Despite making just two of his nine shots, Curry still dictated play with his passing, finishing with 11 assists.
It was only his second game this season with double-digit assists, but the 148th time he has reached that mark in his career, a clear sign of his long-standing influence beyond scoring.
Who stood out for Golden State?
Jimmy Butler delivered a steady all-around display, contributing 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while De’Anthony Melton provided a major spark from the bench.
Melton’s season-high 23 points marked his fifth double-figure scoring performance in his last six appearances and underlined the Warriors’ strength in depth.
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Defensively, Gui Santos caught the eye by recording a career-high four steals, helping Golden State disrupt Portland’s rhythm throughout the night.
Moses Moody also etched his name into the club’s history, moving into 12th place on the Warriors’ all-time three-point list after knocking down his 364th triple for the franchise.
Speaking after the game, head coach Steve Kerr praised his side’s collective approach.
“The ball moved, the defence was locked in, and we stayed patient,” Kerr said during post-match media duties. “That’s the type of basketball we want to play.”
Why did the Trail Blazers struggle so badly?
Portland’s problems were compounded before tip-off with the absence of Deni Avdija, their leading scorer this season, who missed the game due to lower back soreness.
His unavailability forced the Trail Blazers into a reshuffled starting line-up that included two two-way contract players, a clear indication of their current squad limitations.
Shaedon Sharpe led Portland’s scoring with 19 points, while Caleb Love added 17 points and seven assists, but the Blazers were never able to reduce the deficit to a competitive level.
The defeat leaves them on a two-game losing streak after Sunday’s loss to the New York Knicks, which had already halted a promising five-game winning run.
What does this result mean going forward?
For Golden State, the win offered a strong response to their recent defeat against the Atlanta Hawks.
More importantly, it reinforced the value of their supporting cast and their ability to control games even when Curry is not scoring freely. The Warriors remain at home for their next outing against the New York Knicks.
Portland, meanwhile, returns home hoping to steady itself when they face the Hawks. Much will depend on Avdija’s fitness, as his absence was keenly felt at both ends of the floor.
