The Golden State Warriors will be shorthanded for Friday night’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers, as Al Horford has been listed as out, while Jonathan Kuminga has been upgraded from questionable to probable.
Horford logged 29 minutes in Thursday night’s win, contributing 13 points, three rebounds, and two assists on 62.5% shooting from the field. At 39 years old, the Warriors are taking a cautious approach with their newest free-agent acquisition, listing him with left toe/injury management. Kuminga has been solid since being inserted into the starting lineup, posting 14 points and five rebounds on 54.5% shooting.
The Warriors are coming off an overtime thriller against the Denver Nuggets, improving to 2–0 on the season. Stephen Curry continued to remind the league why he remains one of the best in the game, erupting for 42 points, six rebounds, and seven assists across 37 minutes. Jimmy Butler III complemented him perfectly, adding 21 points, six assists, and three steals.
Draymond Green turned in a well-rounded performance of his own, finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists while shooting 62.5% from the field. The trio of Green, Butler, and Curry has now improved its collective win–loss record to 24–5, proving once again to be an unstoppable combination.
Golden State will aim to extend its win streak to three against a young but hungry Trail Blazers team. Portland is looking to rebound after dropping its season opener, 114–118, to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite the youth-led effort from Shaedon Sharpe and Donovan Clingan, Jerami Grant led the way off the bench with 29 points in 28 minutes.
One team looks to remain atop the Western Conference, while the other searches for its first win of the season. Can the Warriors get it done without their latest veteran addition, or will Portland seize the opportunity to pull off an early upset?
