Category: Basketball

The National Basketball Association (NBA) will return to China for the first time since 2019 as the Brooklyn Nets play the Phoenix Suns in two pre-season games.

It puts an end to a six-year NBA absence in the country following a breakdown in relationships over protests that took place in Hong Kong in 2019.

The matches will take place at The Venetian Arena in Macau, a special administrative region of China close to Hong Kong.

The NBA have announced a multi-year partnership with Chinese technology giant Alibaba at the end of last year, which they believe will enhance fan engagement using AI technology.

The Nets are also owned by the company's chair Joseph Tsai, a Taiwanese-Canadian businessman.

Why they haven't played there since 2019?

The NBA has not held games in China for six years after former Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey posted a message on Twitter, now X, in support of Hong Kong pro-democracy protests.

Morey tweeted: "Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong."

The tweet was subsequently deleted, but the the Chinese Basketball Association and streaming platforms suspended all cooperation with the team and immediately stopped broadcasting their games.

What's the history behind Hong Kong and China?

Originally a British colony for more than 150 years, Hong Kong, signed a treaty in 1984 with China that would see them return to Chinese administation in 1997, under the principle of "one country, two systems".

In June 2019, protests started in the country against plans to allow extradition to mainland China.

Rights groups accused China of perceived interference, resulting in clashes with the police which lasted until 2024.

Why is basketball big in China?

The NBA estimates that around 300 million people play basketball in China - but much of its popularity stems from the success of Yao Ming in the NBA.

The 7ft 5in centre joined the Houston Rockets in 2002, helping to transform them into "China's team" during a seven-year spell in the United States.

The Macau games aim to bolster the NBA's profile in China further, capitalising on an audience that is eager for the return of the sport.

Games have now returned to Chinese state television, with the nation estimated to bring in $5bn (£3.7bn) for NBA China, according to ESPN.

"We are experiencing as great enthusiasm for the game as we ever have in China," said NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

"As you know, there's tremendous interest in the NBA throughout China, so it's wonderful to be back here."

Suns guard and four-time NBA All-Star Devin Booker adds: "Basketball without borders is super important, being here on their homeland and letting them see us play in person."

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What Luka Doncic did for his Lakers teammates was unique and different but no less impactful. It was a view inside the superstar guard’s way of leading the team.

In a team-building event Doncic organized, he took his teammates to a Porsche Driving Experience after practice Tuesday. He covered the entire cost of the event in which his teammates tested Porsche models on a track.

That so impressed Lakers center Deandre Ayton, bringing a smile to his face when asked about Doncic’s gesture.

“I truly appreciate Luka for that,” Ayton said. “I’ve never done that before, where the star players really look out for the team like that. Something like that is actually crazy. I’ve never heard of it or been in a Porsche before. So it definitely was my first time. I didn’t know that Luka was into cars like that. So, yeah, him and LeBron [James]. It was good seeing them behind the wheel. Seeing LeBron behind a car is dangerous.”

At 7 feet, Ayton was asked if he was comfortable driving the car.

“Yeah, they had some cars where they could hold a 7-footer,” he said. “I don’t know if it was custom or that’s how they’re made or some other factors. But just seeing LeBron James in a sports car pushing, I was like, ‘Yo, he knows cars.’ Him doing his thing, that was pretty cool to see.”

Read more:Lakers get first glimpse of what Marcus Smart brings to the court

All summer and during training camp, the Lakers have talked about building team chemistry.

They talked about how doing things together off the court is an important part of building chemistry and of learning about a teammate.

Doncic, along with James, is considered one of their leaders and this was seen as magnanimous.

“Yeah, I mean, anytime, some of our max players and guys that have been in the league a while can put something on for the team is great,” Gabe Vincent said. “It’s great when we come together, do something a little bit more extravagant maybe than we would have on our own. Everyone gets to walk away with some cool [stuff].

"Most importantly, you get to do it together, you know what I mean? Sharing experiences is one of the quickest ways to grow closer. So, we’re very grateful to Luka for putting that one on. Everyone had a great time. It's been great to see him get more comfortable.”

Vincent also did his part in a team-building moment.

Over the summer, he invited his teammates to the sand dunes in Manhattan Beach.

It was his show of leadership after so many workouts and his way to help build that team chemistry.

“So, I tried to just get guys together, most of them were young guys, but just get out on the sand, play a little spike ball, and work down the sand a little bit,” Vincent said. “It's something to get out of this [practice facility] building, you know what I mean? In the summer, we spend so much time in the gym, grinding at the same thing over and over that sometimes you kind of need a change of scenery. So it's something for us to do that was different, something for us to do together. We had a good time with it.”

Ayton getting more comfortable

After two preseason games and several more practices, Ayton is starting to get more comfortable with his role inside the Lakers’ offense.

He took more shots in the second game against the Warriors, making three of eight from the field, than in the first game against the Suns, missing both shots, and he scored more points against the Warriors (seven) than against the Suns (two). He blocked two shots in each game and has a total of 15 rebounds.

“How comfortable am I getting? Um, real comfortable, to where I am starting to know their plays and where the screens are and in general, Lakers terms and Lakers basketball,” he said. “So, it’s becoming quite easy just to read the floor and what [Lakers coach] JJ [Redick] likes and what he wants us to be known as, especially going into our rhythm offense and transition offense. So, yeah, the terminology and everything is starting to be easy and I feel in control on each end.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Allen Iverson states Steph Curry ‘absolutely' is a top five all-time NBA player originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Allen Iverson has placed Steph Curry in his all-time top five players before, and he isn’t budging now.

“Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Steph Curry, Shaquille O’Neal,” Iverson said in an interview with CBS when asked about his all-time NBA top five.

Maurice Dubois of CBS questioned the Hall of Famer’s inclusion of Curry in the list. 

“Absolutely,” Iverson responded. “Never seen anything like him before in my life.” 

Iverson has given Curry his flowers before, telling the Warriors superstar, “You’re in my top five all day,” during the 2019 NBA All-Star weekend.

Curry shared his appreciation for the recognition during the following season on the “All the Smoke” podcast with Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes.

“I ain’t never had a big head. That dude who I picked up a lot of game and inspiration from — he’s now looking at my game,” Curry said. “Some OGs, they don’t want to relinquish the praise. Same way we respect the OGs, we want it both ways. So when you do hear that, that means something.” 

Iverson isn’t the sole OG giving Curry praise. Another player in his top five list, O’Neal, has been a frequent Curry booster in recent years.

“I demand you fans to start putting Steph Curry in that greatest of all time conversation,” O’Neal declared during a TNT broadcast in March. “Just start putting him in the conversation. There’s [Michael Jordan], there’s Kobe [Bryant], there’s LeBron [James]. Start putting Steph in that conversation. I demand it.” 

Curry, 37, enters his 17^th NBA season with a plethora of accolades. He stands alone as the career 3-point leader and the only unanimous MVP in NBA history.

As G.O.A.T. and top five debates continue as they always do, the stars of the generations past still recognize Curry as one of the best to step on an NBA court. 

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How Hugo Gonzalez's historically big hands give him an edge on defense originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

If we told you who has the biggest hands ever measured at the NBA Scouting Combine, you wouldn’t be surprised to learn it’s Tacko Fall, the 7-foot-6 former Boston Celtics big man whose hand length measures 10.5 inches.

But you’ll definitely be surprised to learn who’s second on that list: Celtics rookie Hugo Gonzalez.

That’s right: The 6-foot-6 guard from Spain posted a hand length of 10.25 inches at the 2025 NBA Combine, the second-longest measurement in combine history behind only Fall.

We should note that hand length data at the combine only dates back to 2010, and that Gonzalez’s 10.25 inches are tied with two other players: Dexter Pittman and his current Celtics teammate, Xavier Tillman. But we should also reiterate that Gonzalez is a guard and is still just 19 years old, which means he could grow even more.

Celtics Insider Chris Forsberg caught up with Boston’s 2025 first-round pick at Celtics Media Day to get the skinny on how Gonzalez’s massive mitts give him an extra edge.

“You don’t realize it, but I guess some blocks that I got were touching with the very last part of my fingers. That’s helped,” Gonzalez told Forsberg. “If you’re going to go for a steal, you have bigger hands (to snatch the ball).”

Gonzalez’s hands aren’t just large, either — they’re also extremely flexible, as he demonstrated to Forsberg by contorting his pinkie and thumb in various uncomfortable directions.

“It’s super elastic, so I can push (my pinkie back),” Gonzalez said. “I have elastic hands.”

Gonzalez put those hands into action right away in Boston’s first preseason game Wednesday night, racking up three blocks and a steal in the Celtics’ 121-103 win.

“As soon as you can impact the game defensively, making the correct feel, the correct things, I think that’s the most important thing apart from having big plays or something like that,” Gonzalez told reporters after the game. “Just being correct defensively, so you can help the team to the win.”

The young guard, who spent the last three seasons with Real Madrid and debuted with the Spanish club when he was 16, plays with a relentless motor and boasts impressive defensive upside that was on display Wednesday night. He also showed flashes offensively, finishing with eight points on 3-for-4 shooting with a 3-pointer.

Gonzalez is still raw, and his NBA development may take time. But it’s clear why the rookie’s effort and physical traits appealed to president of basketball operations Brad Stevens.

Nine players typically get selected in the first round of every draft, and then it becomes a crapshoot. Those nine guys include Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham, Anthony Davis and Trae Young. That means anything can happen at the end of that opening round and the beginning of the second round, but we'll choose the best of the rest for this piece. 

Domantas Sabonis and Karl-Anthony Towns are often the next two players taken in the opening round, so we'll omit those big men as well.

Devin Booker, PHX

(ADP: 12.8)

I'm starting to see Booker creep into the first round of some drafts, and it's about time that everyone comes around. This perennial All-Star is in for a career-high usage rate, thanks to the Suns going into a rebuild. They've parted ways with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, leaving Booker as the only true playmaker on this team. He'll play point guard next to Jalen Green after averaging a career-high 7.1 assists per game last year. His point total did dip to 25.6 points per game, but we expect Booker to get close to 30 since he's likely looking at 35-40 minutes and over 20 shots a night. This might be a bold call, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Booker have a Houston Harden-type season with a league-leading usage rate very much in play. 

James Harden, LAC

(ADP: 15.3)

Speak of the devil! We had Harden as one of our top recommendations in this same article last season, and he delivered a beautiful bounce-back campaign. The former MVP averaged 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 3.0 threes per game. Most importantly, Harden played 79 games last year and has played at least 65 games in all but two years throughout his 16-year career. All the players in the Top 30 post superstar statistics, but the reliability of a 70-game season can't be overlooked from a fantasy perspective. Drafting a 36-year-old always feels risky in the first round, but the consistency speaks for itself. The only real concern is the depth of this roster, but that could lead to Harden creeping back to double-digit assists like we've seen throughout most of his career. 

Kevin Durant, HOU  

(ADP: 19.0)

There simply aren't many players as special as KD. This 15-time All-Star is entering his first season with the Houston Rockets and looks poised for another monster season. In a "down" 2024-25 campaign, Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.2 blocks and 2.6 threes per game. He also shot 53 percent from the field, 43 percent from three-point range and 84 percent from the free-throw line. Having an all-around stat line like that is one thing, but adding elite shooting is truly ridiculous. What's even more absurd is that this stat line has been the norm since 2008, so why would we expect anything different this season? The injury question marks, aging and fresh team dynamics are obviously in play, but KD will always be a top-25 player in fantasy until he retires.

Stephen Curry, GSW  

(ADP: 17.1)

It's funny that we have these three aging superstars in here, but it's telling of how many people overlook these guys in drafts. We actually had Harden, Durant and Curry in the same piece last season! Everyone wants the shiny new toys or the mystery box, but these veterans are as safe as it gets. The aging and injuries are the only real concerns with a superstar like Curry, but he still averaged 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 4.4 threes per game last year. Curry shot 45 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 93 percent from the free-throw line as well. That sort of shooting is why Curry has been a top-10 player for nearly two decades, and he should remain the focal point of this Warriors offense. We're also encouraged that Curry has played at least 63 games in four of the last five years, and the addition of Jimmy Butler should help open things up for this offense while making Golden State more competitive.

Amen Thompson, HOU  

(ADP: 25.5)

We've presented some unmistakable options to enter the opening round, but let's get one youngster in here that's a bit outside the norm. I'm not advocating that Thompson should be selected in the first round this season, but he seems like one of the most likely guys to enter that realm next year. This 22-year-old showcased an elite fantasy resume in his sophomore season, averaging 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. Having defensive numbers like those is nearly impossible to find, and this kid is only scratching the surface of what he could become. Thompson took over ball-handling duties at times in the second half of last season and could be the primary point guard with Fred VanVleet out for the year. We could see Thompson's scoring approach 20 points per game while handing out 5-6 assists a night. Adding that nearly double-digit rebound total and 2.7 stocks per game could have Thompson looking like a top-10 player this season. 

Other Players in Consideration:

Tyrese Maxey, PHI (ADP: 19.9)

Alperen Sengun, HOU (ADP: 19.6)

Evan Mobley, CLE (ADP: 20.1)

LaMelo Ball (ADP: 29.7)

Brandin Podziemski hopes to one day lead Warriors after Steph, Draymond retire originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Brandin Podziemski isn’t your average 22-year-old.

The Warriors guard, who was drafted by the team No. 19 overall in 2023 and has started multiple high-stakes games for Golden State over the past two seasons, already is thinking about the future and is ready to take that next step in his career.

While he’s had the luxury of learning from some of the best in the game, such as Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, his next goal is having those same players — plus the Warriors’ top decision-makers — trust him enough to leave him the keys to the franchise when they’re gone.

“When they leave this thing, they got to leave it with somebody,” Podziemski told The Athletic’s Nick Friedell in an exclusive interview. “How can I have their trust? And they can go to [owner] Joe [Lacob] and [general manager] Mike [Dunleavy] and be like, “Hey, we want to leave it with him. He’s going to continue what we’re leaving.

“So, I think about that all time, and I set myself up in that position to have that. And there’s a lot of other things than just skill that you need to be in that position.”

There has been much chatter about life after Steph, and what that could look like.

Would the franchise turn to Podziemski? Jonathan Kuminga? Whose team would it be?

Curry, 37, made it clear he still has plenty of gas in the tank as he aims for ring No. 5, but he’s also acknowledged that he’s approaching the tail end of his career.

Podziemski knows he has some growing up to do, emotionally, to gain that trust.

“There’s a next step in evolving emotionally, and as a leader,” Podziemski told Friedell. “Having confidence from your teammates is one thing, especially the vets, but them trusting you in big moments that could define their career. Could add another piece to their career. For them to have trust in you is a different thing, and you got to earn that over time, and I think that’s a goal of mine going into this season.”

Over the last two-plus years, Podziemski has noticed how hard everyone plays for Curry and the Warriors vets. He’s one of those players.

But someday, he hopes younger players do the same for him.

“Nobody wants to play so hard for Steph [just] because he can shoot the s–t out of the ball,” Podziemski told Friedell. “Nobody wants to play hard for Draymond [just] because his voice is the loudest. It’s doing the right things consistently, being at the right place, the right time, always taking young guys under their wing, showing them the way. That’s the reason why game days, people play so hard for Steph. If someone knocks him down we’re always right there, got his back.

“It’s not because he can shoot the ball that that’s the case. It’s so many other things. So, you want to take that and grab your own version of it and apply it. So, when the younger guys come in, and this is my team, if I get that opportunity, they have a reason to play hard for me too.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr has been impressed with what he’s seen from Podziemski thus far as the young guard is set to enter Year 3. Speaking to the media after Day 1 of training camp practice, Kerr applauded Podziemski for taking a “big leap” during the second half of last season.

But when asked what those next steps look like for Podziemski to take another leap in his third NBA season with Golden State, Kerr also acknowledged that emotional maturity is one of the main things.

“Honestly, you’ll laugh,” Kerr began. “But leaving the refs alone. That’s important. It’s important to his energy, his mindset, it’s important for our team’s mindset. And taking that next step in terms of being more even-keeled. One of the hardest lessons I ever learned as a player is when you have that bad night you have to move on quickly, and you can’t let it get to you. You can’t carry it over into the next day’s practice.”

Podziemski admitted it’s become a “conscious effort” to think about keeping his emotions in check.

Once he masters that, whenever that might be, he hopes that will help give him a better chance of one day being the leader of the Warriors.

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Natalia Bryant has made her debut as a creative director with a short film that features a subject matter with which she's very familiar.

The 70-second piece is called "Forever Iconic: Purple and Gold Always," and it's all about the worldwide impact of the Lakers — something Bryant has experienced throughout her life as the oldest daughter of one of the Lakers' great icons, Kobe Bryant.

The film, posted online Wednesday by the Lakers, is a fast-paced tribute to the team and its fans. It features a number of celebrity cameos — Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani takes batting practice wearing a Lakers cap; current Lakers star Luka Doncic yells "Kobe!" as he shoots a towel into a hamper; fashion designer Jeff Hamilton creates a number of Lakers jackets; actor Brenda Song obsessively watches and cheers for the team on her computer; Lakers legend Magic Johnson declares, "It's Showtime, baby!"

Read more:Natalia Bryant honors dad Kobe during USC graduation and A-listers turn out with congrats

Mixed in are shots of regular fans paying tribute to the team in their own ways.

“This project was an amazing, collaborative environment with such creative people and we all came together to try and portray the Lakers’ impact, not only in L.A. but around the world," Natalia Bryant said in a statement released by the Lakers. "Everyone has their own connection to the Lakers. I hope those who already love this team watch this project and remember what that pride feels like. And if you’re not a Lakers fan yet, I hope you watch this, and it makes you want to be.”

Bryant, who graduated from USC's School of Cinematic Arts in May, included some famous Lakers clips, such as LeBron James arguing, "It's our ball, ain't it?" and her father hitting a buzzer-beating shot against the Phoenix Suns during the 2006 playoffs.

"Such an honor to be apart of this project!" Bryant wrote on Instagram. "Thank you @lakers for having me join as creative director💛lakers family forever"

Lakers controlling owner and president Jeanie Buss also posted the video on Instagram.

"Cheers to the millions of fans around the world who make the Lakers the most popular team in the NBA!!" Buss wrote. "You are the best fans in the league. Congratulations and huge thanks to the amazing @nataliabryant who helped bring this film to life for her creative director debut."

Read more:'We wanted to throw a twist on it': Why an iconic Kobe Bryant image was altered for a Dodger-themed mural

Lakers superfan Song also posted a number of photos related to the project on Instagram, including one of herself with Bryant.

"Lake show for life," Song wrote.

Bryant responded in the comments, "For life!"

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to stay in Milwaukee, for now.

The two-time MVP reiterated his commitment to the Bucks on Wednesday, while reports on Tuesday made waves that the Knicks discussed a potential trade for the superstar in August after he singled out New York as "the only place" he wanted to play outside of Milwaukee.

SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley confirmed that the Knicks and Bucks had cursory talks about an Antetokounmpo deal at the time, but they didn't reach an advanced level. Begley noted that Antetokounmpo sees the idea of winning a title in New York appealing. 

Antetokounmpo made it clear he believes in the Bucks and his main goal is to win another championship. Although he left the door open to a potential trade down the road, saying it's "human" to change your mind.

"I've said this many times: I want to be in a situation that I can win," Antetokounmpo said. "I believe in this team. I believe in my teammates. I'm here to lead this team to wherever we can go. It's definitely going to be hard. We're going to take it day by day, but I'm here. So all the extra stuff does not matter.

"I've communicated with my teammates, communicated with the people I respect and love, that the moment I step on this court or in this facility, I wear this jersey, the rest does not matter. I'm locked into whatever I have in front of me. Now, if in six, seven months I change my mind, I think that's human, too."

When asked about rumors that circulated during the offseason that he wanted to leave Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo called it "temptation," but that's now in the past and he's ready for the start of the season with his current team.

"It's temptation. That starts when the season ends until the season begins," Antetokounmpo said. "There's going to be a lot of people that are going to approach me or approach my agent and they're going to say this is a possibility, that's a possibility ... but at the end of the day, ultimately, I'm going to make a decision. And my decision today is that I'm here and I'm committed to this team."

Antetokounmpo, who'll turn 31 on Dec. 6, signed a three-year, $175 million contract extension with the Bucks in October 2023. He's set to make $54.12 million this season, $58.45 million next season, and holds a player option for the 2027-28 season with a cap hit of $62.78 million before hitting unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2028.

The Bucks went 48-34 last season and lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round (4-1). They made major changes to the roster during the offseason following Damian Lillard's Achilles injury in the playoffs, waiving and extending him in a rare move, and then signing former Pacers big man Myles Turner. If Milwaukee gets off to another slow start or appears to be on the outside of the postseason looking in by the time of the trade deadline (Feb. 5, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.), it's possible Antetokounmpo's mind will have changed about Milwaukee and he's ready for a new team.

Steve Kerr's starting Warriors lineup is logical, but still a work in progress originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors are two games into the NBA preseason, and as they glance ahead they can see at least one caution light blinking.

The light that gauges the effectiveness of their perimeter defense, particularly at the point of attack.

That element is one of several essentials to Golden State’s success, and it has been considerably less than stellar. Opposing guards, some speedy and others shifty, are penetrating with regularity, resulting in paint points, free throws or kickouts to open shooters behind the arc.

That was visible Wednesday night in the first half – with all minutes going to starters and rotation players – of a 129-123 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. It took a massive fourth-quarter comeback by the far end of the bench to wipe out a 16-point halftime deficit.

Moses Moody started in the role of primary POA defender against Portland, with coach Steve Kerr pairing him with Stephen Curry in the backcourt. This vulnerability also was visible last Sunday, when Brandin Podziemski started alongside Curry in a 111-103 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

While it’s unreasonable to expect fantastic defense in the first week of the preseason, the Warriors can’t be delighted with a defense that allowed 39 points in the first quarter and 73 in the half.

“They were flying by us,” Kerr said. “And then we were collapsing, probably too much.  And then they had a ton of threes. I think they made 10 threes in the first half.”

Wrong, coach. The Blazers drained 12 triples in the first half. They also posted a 24-16 edge in paint points.

This was Golden State’s first look at a starting lineup that might start the 2025-26 NBA regular season. Curry and Moody in the backcourt, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green at forward and Al Horford at center. All five posted negative plus/minus numbers in the first half.

“I didn’t think we were ready to play,” Kerr said. “I don’t know that we got a good enough look at that lineup to really know. It should fit, with Al’s shooting and we have a lot of length. Moses on the ball. They took it to us right away.”

Starting Moody against the Blazers was logical because he’s a rangy defender (6-foot-5, 7-foot wingspan) and a good 3-point shooter. The possibility of him as lead bird dog emerged late last season, after the Warriors traded Andrew Wiggins as part of the deal to acquire Jimmy Butler III, as Kerr explained before tipoff.

“He got to guard the ball,” Kerr recalled of Moody. “He got to be in the starting lineup, and he became our point of attack defender, like Wiggs was before. And so, with Wiggs leaving, that opened a void on this team, because Jimmy’s not that.”

Moody has the potential to be all of that, but it’s clear he’s still trying to master the art of staying in front of quick guards. It’s a tough assignment. He has made 74 starts over four NBA seasons, but starring in that role took Klay Thompson about 300 starts.

“They came out and hit us early,” Moody told NBC Sports Bay Area. “It felt like a different game than [against the Lakers]. “We didn’t do much game planning and preparation. But I think their speed, especially in transition, got us.”

Portland guard Shaedon Sharpe finished with a game-high 22 points in 23 minutes, on 9-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-8 from deep. He was plus-14 for the night. Backup guard Blake Wesley, blasting into the paint with relative ease, finished with nine points and six rebounds.

Three nights earlier, four Lakers scored in double figures on Sunday – and all were guards: Gabe Vincent (team-high 16 points), Dalton Knecht (12), R.J. Davis (11) and Jack LaRavia (10). Along with their 49 combined points, they accounted for 12 assists.

Golden State’s POA defense so important because there is no Victor Wembanyama waiting at the rim. There is no Anthony Davis or Rudy Gobert or Chet Holmgren. Not even a Donovan Clingan

The preseason is a time for experimenting, for seeing what might work and what shouldn’t even be tried. It’s a work in progress, and there is plenty of time to patch it. But the early returns are worth watching.

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What we learned as Quinten Post, LJ Cryer fuel Warriors' comeback preseason win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

• BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO – The NBA preseason is a learning experience for youngsters and veterans alike, and the Warriors will have plenty of positives and negatives to review after what turned into a wild 129-123 win against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night at Chase Center.

Behind the 3-point prowess of Quinten Post (20 points) and LJ Cryer (14 points), and rookie Will Richard’s constant activity, the Warriors rallied for a spirited comeback where they outscored the Blazers 51-26 in the fourth quarter.

Steph Curry in his one half of action played 16 minutes and scored 11 points, going 3 of 7 overall and 2 of 5 on threes. Draymond Green also played 16 minutes, and also hit a pair of threes on his way to nine points. Jimmy Butler was the leading scorer of the three, and the only to have a positive plus/minus. 

Butler, a plus-3 in 17 minutes, scored 12 points to go with two rebounds, three assists and two steals. He was 3 of 6 from the field, and 6 of 8 on free throws.

The Warriors again play the Blazers in the preseason next Tuesday, as well as the third game of the 2025-26 NBA regular season in what will be the second night of a back-to-back.

Here are three takeaways from the Warriors’ second win to start their five-game preseason schedule. 

Horford Gets Starting Nod

After opening the preseason with a small-ball lineup in the Warriors’ first game, coach Steve Kerr switched gears and went big against the Blazers. Al Horford moved into the starting lineup, with the real decision being Moses Moody staying and Brandin Podziemski coming off the bench. Horford and Moody accompanied Curry, Butler and Green. 

“Al gives us the ability to play bigger with shooting,” Kerr explained at his pregame press conference. “Portland’s got a pretty big team and I would anticipate they’ll start [Donovan] Clingan. I think I mentioned last game, I don’t want to throw Draymond out there constantly against these big centers. So this is a good night to take a look at that lineup and see what we do.”

The Warriors trailed 18-15 when Kerr first turned to his bench, replacing Moody and Horford with Buddy Hield and Post with a little more than five minutes left in the first quarter. Moody blocked two shots in the first minute, and Horford already had two rebounds and one assist. He should have had two assists by then if Moody would have converted an open layup. 

But Horford’s first assist was an eye-opening dime. The 39-year-old center grabbed a defensive rebound and went coast-to-coast, finding Butler in transition for an easy layup at the rim.

The starters didn’t play together again all night. Like the preseason opener, Curry, Butler, Green and Horford all sat the second half. Horford was scoreless in 11 minutes while missing his four shot attempts. Moody didn’t start the second half and was a minus-10 in 20 minutes, scoring 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting.

Second Unit Struggles

Once Kerr turned to his bench, the game flipped in favor of the Blazers. The Warriors used a 10-man rotation in the first quarter, using Podziemski, Hield, Post, Jonathan Kuminga and Gary Payton II off the bench. That unit lost its run 19-4 in the first quarter alone. 

The Blazers’ bench outscored the Warriors’ reserves 18-7 in the first quarter, and Portland went on a 13-0 run to hold a 14-point 39-25 lead going into the second quarter. 

By halftime, the Warriors were losing the bench battle 25-20. All of the Warriors’ bench players had a negative plus/minus, and Deni Avdija, who was up to 13 points, was the lone Blazers bench player in the negative. 

Seth Curry eventually will be an option off the bench for Kerr, and should at least provide more outside shooting. Curry “is still ramping up,” per Kerr, and has yet to play in the preseason. He will be waived by Oct. 18 and is eligible to be re-signed starting Nov. 11. 

Podziemski and Kuminga each were a game-low minus-17.

Defensive Work In Progress

If Toumani Camara starts making threes like he did against the Warriors, the rest of the league could have a problem on its hands. The Second Team All-Defensive selection from last season was part of the reason the Warriors were buried from long distance on their home court. 

Camara went 4 of 7 from 3-point range in the first half before missing his two attempts in the second half. Shaedon Sharpe also was 4 of 7 beyond the arc in the first half as the Blazers went 12 of 28 on threes through the first two quarters. The Warriors were losing the long distance battle, and were being beaten by speed. 

Most of the Blazers’ threes were open shots, and the Warriors were late to rotate. The Blazers shot 46.3 percent in the first half, including a 42.9 3-point percentage. The Warriors also only had two steals compared to six by the Blazers going into halftime, and they turned the ball over three times more than them – 12 to three.

Effort and resiliency from the back of the bench deserves tons of positivity. First, the defensive miscues will have to be cleaned up ahead of Sunday’s game in LA against the Lakers.

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