The Golden State Warriors have started the 2025-26 NBA season with a busy schedule.
The Golden State Warriors played three games to start the season, while most NBA teams play two.
The Dubs started the regular season with an incredible two wins against the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets, but had no answer against the Portland Trail Blazers.
In the end, the Warriors suffered a 139-119 loss to the Trail Blazers.
Aside from fatigue, the most notable aspect of the Warriors’ 20-point loss to the Trail Blazers was the absence of 39-year-old Al Horford.
Head coach Steve Kerr sat out Horford’s game against the Trail Blazers to manage an injury to his left toe. It was a load management decision, but the Warriors missed Horford’s presence on the court.
Even late in his career, Horford is a threat on both ends of the floor. In his absence, the Trail Blazers were dominant on both sides of the ball.
As such, the Warriors have proven they could be a dark horse candidate to win the 2026 NBA Championship, and Horford is the key to that.
Horford averaged 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game for the Warriors, shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from the 3-point line.
The only silver lining for the Warriors after their blowout loss against the Trail Blazers was Stephen Curry’s performance.
The two-time NBA MVP had 35 points, six rebounds and three assists in the loss. However, Curry made history by becoming the oldest NBA player to score 35 points in consecutive games.
On top of that, Curry became the first NBA player to reach the 100-point mark this season, showing his incredible longevity.
The Warriors star will get some well-deserved rest before his next matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies.