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3 takeaways after the revamped Warriors obliterated the Blazers in the 2024-25 season opener
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3 takeaways after the revamped Warriors obliterated the Blazers in the 2024-25 season opener

The new-look Golden State Warriors came to the Moda Center on Wednesday night and beat a rebuilding Portland Trail Blazers team to victory. The 139-104 shutout may have been indicative of the Warriors’ improved wing depth rather than a reflection of Portland’s ability or lack thereof.

Here are our takeaways from the big moment:

Generally, this award is given to players from clubs with a winning percentage above .500, so it’s probably out of the question for Portland’s rookie second-year point guard. But there’s no question that he looked quite comfortable as an energy-shifting scorer playing off the bench for the Trail Blazers on Wednesday night (even before the garbage time of the fourth quarter that padded the stats). The 6-foot-3 G League Ignite player scored 22 points on 7 of 18 shooting from the field (0 of 5 from distance) and 8 of 9 shooting from the foul line, while also dishing out four dimes and grabbing four rebounds. His defense was once again his downfall. During his playing time of 27:54 minutes he recorded a worst minus of -30.

Somewhat surprisingly, head coach Chauncey Billups decided to bring second-year small forward Toumani Camara into his starting lineup on Wednesday night because starting player Shaedon Sharpe is still injured. Deni Avdija, reportedly the club’s starting guard when everyone is healthy, was officially listed as the club’s starting shooting guard, but Billups was open to combining players on defense, with the longer, more athletic Camara as a possible Stephen Curry- Stopper was considered. During Camara’s 29:53 playing time, he scored 11 points on 3 of 8 shooting from the field (2 of 4 from distance) and 3 of 4 from the charity stripe, while he also had six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Newcomer Avdija showed off his surprising passer skills in his regular-season debut for the Trail Blazers. The 6-foot-9 veteran scored 15 points and got to the line seemingly at will, converting 7 of 8 free throws and shooting 4 of 10 from the floor. He also knocked down seven boards, provided two assists, blocked two shots and stole the ball twice.

All told, six Trail Blazers scored in double figures, but those numbers were increased in a meaningless fourth quarter that began with a game already out of control as Golden State led 99-72 early in the frame.

More Trailblazers: Chauncey Billups rates his top two Donovan Clingan skills

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