Warriors Dominate Blazers in Season Opener with Strong Depth and Buddy Hield's Debut Performance

The Golden State Warriors kicked off their 2024-25 NBA season in dominant fashion, cruising past the Portland Trail Blazers 139-104 on Wednesday night at the Moda Center. After shaking off a slow start, the Warriors turned up the heat, outscoring Portland 118-83 from the second quarter onward. Their 35-point margin of victory marked the largest in franchise history for a season opener.

Stephen Curry narrowly missed his 11th career triple-double, finishing with 17 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds in just 25 minutes of action. He also recorded two steals and nine assists before his first turnover. Curry did not play in the fourth quarter, ending the night with a plus-23 rating.

Andrew Wiggins contributed 20 points and made four 3-pointers, but the highlight of the night was Buddy Hield, making his Warriors regular-season debut. Hield exploded off the bench for 22 points in just 15 minutes, shooting an impressive 8 of 12 from the field and 5 of 7 from beyond the arc. He also grabbed five crucial rebounds, proving to be a key factor in the Warriors' blowout win.
 

Starting Five Struggles Early
The Warriors' starting lineup, revealed just before tipoff, featured Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green, and rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis. Despite the defensive versatility of this group, they struggled early on, missing their first nine shots. By the end of the first quarter, the score was tied 21-21, with the starters being outscored 12-5 in their initial run.

The starting five regrouped in the third quarter, with Curry hitting his first three-pointer of the night right out of the gate. The unit played better defensively and found their rhythm offensively, finishing as a plus-5 in the third. Overall, the starters played just over 11 minutes together and were a combined minus-2, with Kuminga the only starter with a negative plus/minus.

Depth Shines Bright
Throughout training camp and preseason, the Warriors’ depth was a focal point, and they did not disappoint in the opener. Head coach Steve Kerr used 12 players in the first half, giving several bench players the chance to shine.

Hield was the first player off the bench, and Gary Payton II followed shortly after, with Brandin Podziemski, Kevon Looney, and De’Anthony Melton also making early contributions. By halftime, the Warriors’ reserves had outscored Portland’s bench 27-11. Podziemski finished the game with a plus-34, while Hield, Payton, and Looney posted plus/minus ratings of +20, +26, and +13, respectively.

Even deep bench players like Lindy Waters III and Gui Santos saw action in the final minutes, as the Warriors’ bench outscored the Blazers' reserves 70-37.

Buddy Hield’s Scoring Burst
Buddy Hield delivered an electrifying performance in his regular-season debut for Golden State. Known for his scoring ability, Hield nailed four three-pointers in the first half alone, finishing the game with 22 points. His shooting prowess was exactly what the Warriors hoped for when they brought him in, adding a dangerous scoring option off the bench to complement Curry and Wiggins.

In just 15 minutes on the court, Hield shot 71.4% from deep and contributed five rebounds, establishing himself as a key piece in the Warriors’ deep rotation. With his efficient shooting and ability to stretch the floor, Hield's debut was reminiscent of what the Warriors once envisioned for Klay Thompson's role.

The Warriors finished their perfect preseason 6-0, with Hield averaging 12.2 points per game while shooting nearly 49% from three-point range. His five made threes in this debut are tied for the second-most in franchise history for a Warriors debut.

The Warriors’ season opener showed that their roster depth is more than just a preseason talking point. With players like Hield providing a spark off the bench, Golden State has the versatility and firepower to contend in a highly competitive Western Conference. While the starters will need more time to gel, the performance of the bench could be a significant advantage for the Warriors moving forward.