Following an undefeated preseason, Golden State entered the regular season with some unforeseen optimism. An impressive showing in exhibition play due to the high volume distance shooting and implementation of offseason acquisitions have altered expectations for what this version of the Warriors can become.

The opening quarter looked as far from the team we saw go 6-0 in the preseason, with Golden State starting an abysmal 2-15 from the field to start, going 0-10 from deep. Despite the lackluster offense output to start, free throws and a solid showing defensively kept things close.

Former Trail Blazer Gary Payton II was able to come off the bench midway through the first quarter and provide a defensive spark with a couple of early steals that got the Warriors’ offense going in transition. Payton II finished with a +26 plus/minus (second highest on the team). As unconventional as things appeared on the floor, the Warriors finished the quarter tied with Portland at 21-21.

Buddy Hield performed as advertised in his Warriors debut. Scoring 22 points on 8-12 shooting, going 5-7 from deep. Hield’s explosiveness as a deep threat gives the Warriors a dimension they lacked last season, being able to weather the storm of a subpar Steph Curry shooting performance in the first half, with just one lone field goal.

Minutes before the conclusion of the first half, Draymond Green picked up his first technical foul of the season after a dispute with the official over a call, forcing the hand of head coach Steve Kerr to call a timeout to get Green off the floor.

Curry opened the second half with a quick three in a preview of what was to come for the Warriors' offense, out-scoring the Blazers 37-22 in the third quarter. Golden State finished with seven players in double-figures scoring. Curry would finish one rebound shy of a triple-double (17 points, 9 rebounds, 11 assists), playing just 25 minutes, not seeing the floor in the fourth quarter.

All fourteen Golden State players saw the floor en route to their 139-104 victory. Thirteen of them got into the scoring column. Brandin Podziemski was the lone Warrior without a point, yet he found ways to impact the game with his versatility with seven rebounds, four assists, and the team’s highest plus/minus (+34).

The biggest takeaway from the Dubs season opener was the depth, the patented phrase all Warriors fans love to hear, “Strength and Numbers,” might be a recurring theme with this team. It’s still unclear who the Warriors’ second scoring option will be, whether or not Kuminga takes the leap into stardom and solidifies himself as that guy, Hield does it as the sixth man, or if Wiggins can return to all-star form.

Until then it’ll be by committee, which does not look bad. Wiggins arguably looked the best he has since his leave of absence during the 2022-23 season, and rough campaign last year. His 20 points on efficient shooting was something to be optimistic about.

The bench depth was felt in the fourth quarter when the Warriors expanded their lead, something that was such a challenge for them a year ago, giving up several large comeback wins. If the Warriors can continue to rely on the strong second and third units, it’ll make Kerr’s job of managing the minutes of his two future hall of famers a lot easier as the season progresses, as the Dubs look to be contenders in the West.

The Warriors are back in action Friday night as they take on the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City, looking to finish off the short two-game trip undefeated.

(Photo via Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images)