Nine Regulars Stayed Home, Portland Becomes a Bench Audition
A travel list missing nine regulars turns tonight's game at Portland into the clearest look yet at how far Golden State's bench can carry a preseason win.
Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Al Horford and six other regulars did not make the trip to Portland, per Dalton Johnson, leaving the second unit that nearly matched the starters in scoring two nights ago to run the show alone. The Warriors are rested, the Trail Blazers are not, and Shaedon Sharpe won't play for Portland either.
The List
Dalton Johnson reported nine Warriors are staying off the Portland trip: Curry, Green, Al Horford, Yaxel Lendeborg, Brandin Podziemski, De'Anthony Melton, Gui Santos, Georges Niang and Gary Payton II. The team's own injury report lists Curry, Green and Horford as day-to-day for rest, with an estimated return of Oct. 10 against the Kings.
What the Reserves Already Showed
Two nights ago against the Lakers, this group got a preview of carrying a game. The bench scored 56 points to the starters' 59, barely trailing, while Kerr played 12 players and watched 11 of them score, per Dalton Johnson. Golden State led by 38. Yaxel Lendeborg had 17 points and 9 rebounds in 21 minutes; Brandin Podziemski added 16.
Tonight's Matchup
Portland is 0-0 under new head coach Micah Nori and playing the second night of a back-to-back, without Shaedon Sharpe, who is out with a right knee injury. The Warriors have had a full day of rest and are not on a back-to-back. Gui Santos opened at Horford's spot against the Lakers, a move Kerr said could hold into the regular season, with Horford 'most likely' coming off the bench once games count, per Dalton Johnson.
What's Next
The Warriors play the Kings at home Oct. 10, right when Curry, Green and Horford are projected back. Portland visits Chase Center Oct. 16. Before any of that, the real test comes at the Lakers on Oct. 13, then again to open the regular season on Oct. 21, this time on ESPN.
Why aren't Stephen Curry and Draymond Green playing at Portland?
Dalton Johnson reported both are among nine Warriors regulars who did not travel for the game, and the team's injury report lists them day-to-day for rest with an estimated return of Oct. 10 against the Kings.
When do the Warriors face the Trail Blazers again?
Portland comes to Chase Center on Oct. 16, the next scheduled matchup between the two teams after tonight's preseason game.
