Warriors Dominate Blazers 129-123 with Strategic Lineup Changes

The Golden State Warriors secured a close 129-123 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 8, 2025, at Chase Center in San Francisco. Coach Steve Kerr made significant adjustments to the starting lineup, swapping out returning guard Brandin Podziemski for veteran forward Al Horford. This strategic change aimed to enhance the team’s performance and leverage Horford’s experience.

Kerr’s lineup modifications resulted in Moses Moody and Jimmy Butler shifting to guard and wing positions, respectively, while Draymond Green returned to power forward, moving away from defending the towering 7-foot center Donovan Clingan of the Blazers. The early moments of the game showcased mixed results, as the Warriors fell behind 18-12 within the first seven minutes, prompting Kerr to call a timeout.

Despite the slow start, the Warriors demonstrated impressive interior defense, conceding only four points in the paint during that initial stretch. However, the Blazers capitalized on their outside shooting, making four of six attempts from beyond the arc. Green surprised spectators with his shooting, hitting a couple of open three-pointers. Although Horford began the game with three misses, he did contribute a well-timed assist to Butler during a fast break.

As the game progressed, the starting unit did not return to play together in the first half. The second quarter saw a lineup that included Butler, Curry, Green, and Horford on the bench, indicating Kerr’s strategy to manage their minutes as the preseason continues.

The minutes for the starters were lighter than anticipated, with Butler playing for 17 minutes, while Green and Curry each logged 16 minutes. Horford’s playing time decreased to just 11 minutes, during which he was unable to score, finishing the night 0 of 4 from the field.

The Warriors’ rotation appeared to shorten, with Kerr using 17 players compared to 18 in their previous game. Notably, Seth Curry was healthy but did not play, having entered training camp later than his teammates. Hansen Yang, a standout from the Summer League, struggled in this matchup, managing only four points and one assist.

In the first quarter, Kerr placed Podziemski in a primary ball-handling role, which yielded poor results. The Blazers ended the first quarter on a 13-0 run, exposing Golden State’s difficulties in generating open shots. Butler returned to take on the point guard duties in the second quarter, which helped the Warriors gain momentum.

The game highlighted various individual performances, with Quinten Post leading the Warriors with 20 points. Butler contributed 12 points, while Curry and Buddy Hield added 10 and 13 points, respectively. The Blazers’ LJ Cryer and Pat Spencer fueled a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback, with Cryer scoring 14 points.

As the Warriors prepare for their upcoming road game against the Los Angeles Lakers, the adjustments made during this match will likely inform Kerr’s strategy moving forward. The blend of veteran experience and young talent will be crucial for navigating the challenges of the NBA season ahead.