Blazers vs. Warriors Preview: Curry Aims to Lead New-look Warriors to Opening Win, Blazers May Lack the Power to Upset

On October 24, the NBA regular season will see the Portland Trail Blazers host the Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors finished last season with a 46-36 record, placing 10th in the Western Conference and entering the play-in tournament. However, they were eliminated by the Sacramento Kings and missed the playoffs. During the offseason, the Warriors did not re-sign veteran player Klay Thompson, and Paul also left the team. After failing to acquire Paul George and Lauri Markkanen, the Warriors signed D’Angelo Russell, Buddy Hield, and Tyus Jones. From their offseason moves, it seems that the Warriors are not treating this period as a championship window.

However, the Warriors performed exceptionally well in the preseason, winning all six of their preseason games. Core players Stephen Curry and Draymond Green both had strong performances. Players like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody also played up to their standards, and new signings D’Angelo Russell and Buddy Hield impressed as well. The Warriors’ roster appears more dynamic compared to last season, and the entire team is playing with more effort, which is a positive change.

The Blazers finished last season with a 21-61 record, ranking last in the Western Conference. After trading away Damian Lillard early in the season, the Blazers had high hopes for their third overall pick, Scoot Henderson. However, Henderson’s underwhelming performance in his rookie season was disappointing. Surprisingly, the Blazers retained head coach Chauncey Billups during the offseason, suggesting that they may continue to tank in the upcoming season. The Blazers also added Deni Avdija and rookie Kellan Grubbs during the offseason.

In the preseason, the Blazers went 3-1. However, Henderson’s performance remained inconsistent, shooting 2-for-13, 5-for-13, and 4-for-16 in some games. If he continues to struggle, he might be quickly phased out by the Blazers. On the other hand, rookie Kellan Grubbs has shown promise. In the last three games, Grubbs recorded double-digit rebounds, particularly in the game against the Utah Jazz, where he posted 14 points and 20 rebounds.

In this matchup between the Warriors and the Blazers, despite the home-court advantage for the Blazers, there is still a significant gap in strength between the two teams. The new-look Warriors are eager to start the season with a win. For veterans like Curry, Green, and Wiggins, their energy at the beginning of the season should not be an issue. For Kuminga, who did not secure a contract, his fighting spirit might be even stronger. On the Blazers’ side, Grubbs’ performance may be more noteworthy compared to Henderson’s.

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