Steph Curry reminded everyone on Sunday that preseason results hold little weight, yet there remains an expectation for the Golden State Warriors to perform well—especially against a Los Angeles Lakers team missing key players Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler. On Tuesday night at the Chase Center, the Warriors delivered a dominant display in honor of the late coach Don Nelson, playing fast-paced basketball that emphasized aggressive scoring.
The Warriors’ starting lineup, featuring Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Yaxel Lendeborg, Gui Santos, and Draymond Green, showcased impressive offensive firepower. They quickly took control, building an 11-2 lead within two minutes and extending it to 27-13 by a four-point play from Curry in under seven minutes. Scoring 27 points in just over five minutes would surely have earned praise from Nelson.
Golden State finished the first quarter with 45 points, then added 36 more in the second, heading into halftime with a commanding 81-53 lead—numbers reminiscent of the legendary Run TMC or We Believe Warriors teams, making for a fitting tribute. Since it was early in the preseason, Curry and Green were rested in the second half after stellar first-half performances. Curry scored 16 points in 14 minutes, shooting efficiently while dishing five assists without turnovers and posting a game-high +26. Green, who made his only shot attempt, delivered energetic defense alongside eight assists and a +25 rating in just 15 minutes.
Additionally, Podziemski caught the coach’s attention, scoring 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting over 19 minutes. The bench wasn’t able to maintain the first half’s offensive pace, scoring only 15 points in the third quarter compared to the starters’ 81 in the first two quarters. However, strong defense kept the Lakers at bay as they managed only 22 points in that frame. Rookie Lendeborg stood out alongside the main stars, matching Podziemski with 7-of-11 shooting and finishing with 17 points and nine rebounds, bolstering his chances of securing a starting role for opening night.
Though the second half lacked the high-scoring intensity of the first, a late 22-4 run helped the Warriors comfortably pull away, closing the game with a 124-98 victory and evening their preseason record at 1-1. Golden State faces a back-to-back preseason challenge, traveling to Oregon to take on the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. PT, likely resting key players Curry and Green for consecutive days.
Fan Take: This game highlights why the Warriors remain one of the most exciting teams to watch, blending veteran prowess with emerging talent like Podziemski and Lendeborg. For basketball fans, it signals the potential for another electrifying season and showcases the importance of honoring the past while building for the future.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
