The Golden State Warriors closed out the first half of their 2025-26 NBA season in style, toppling the short-handed Portland Trail Blazers 119-97 at Chase Center on January 13, 2026. This win marked Golden State's 41st game of the campaign—a pivotal checkpoint for a squad still searching for consistency and identity as the season barrels toward its second act.
Coming into the matchup, the Warriors (then 21-19) had yet to notch four wins above .500 or string together four consecutive victories. Despite flashes of brilliance, their season had been defined by fits and starts. The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, limped into San Francisco with a depleted roster. Starters Deni Avdija (back) and Jerami Grant (Achilles) were ruled out, joining a lengthy injury list that included Scoot Henderson (hamstring), Damian Lillard (Achilles), Kris Murray (lumbar), Matisse Thybulle (knee), and Blake Wesley (foot). Golden State, for its part, was nearly at full strength—Seth Curry (sciatica) being the lone absentee.
Yet, even with the Blazers missing key scorers, Portland had proven a thorn in Golden State's side, winning the first three meetings this season. Shaedon Sharpe, who torched the Warriors for 35 points in their previous clash, was again expected to shoulder the scoring load. Caleb Love, streaking with 11 straight double-digit games, and the towering duo of Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III, posed threats on the glass and in the paint. As recent form showed, Portland had won seven of their last nine, making them anything but a pushover.
But on this night, the Warriors seized control early and never looked back. Draymond Green set the tone with a layup, a floater, and a standstill three-pointer as Golden State raced to a 38-24 first-quarter lead, shooting a blistering 60.9% from the field. The ball zipped around the perimeter, resulting in 19 assists on 23 first-half baskets. De'Anthony Melton, who had been relatively quiet in recent outings, exploded for a season-high 23 points, sinking four of six from deep and providing the offensive spark Golden State desperately needed.
"I think we’re in a pretty good spot. Figuring it out," Draymond Green said postgame. "It’s just really figuring out who we are as a team now that we’re healthy and whole. I think it’s kind of starting to come together for us to turn the corner. We’re building an identity."
By halftime, the Warriors had built a commanding 67-41 lead, fueled by 13 made three-pointers on 31 attempts. The Blazers, hampered by the absence of Avdija and Grant, sputtered to just 3-of-19 shooting from distance in the opening half. The Warriors' swarming defense forced 22 Portland turnovers, converting them into 29 points—a testament to their renewed energy on that end of the floor.
Jimmy Butler, the Warriors' veteran leader, contributed a well-rounded 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists. When asked for his midseason assessment, Butler didn't mince words: "Mediocre. It’s the worst place to be … because yes — it can go either way, but nobody wants be just average." According to the numbers, Golden State ranked 15th in offensive efficiency (114.6 points per 100 possessions) and fifth on the defensive end (112.2), a profile that speaks to their up-and-down campaign thus far.
Stephen Curry, usually the team's engine, had a quiet night scoring-wise—just seven points on 2-of-9 shooting, his lowest output of the season. But Curry found other ways to impact the game, dishing out a season-high 11 assists and orchestrating the offense with poise. Brandin Podziemski, whose scoring has been under the microscope, chipped in with 15 points, while Moses Moody found his rhythm with 14. The Warriors’ bench delivered as well, with Gui Santos matching a career high in assists (six) and setting a new personal best with four steals.
Head coach Steve Kerr, always measured in his evaluations, acknowledged the team's progress but stressed the need for urgency. "None of that matters. We’ve got to just take care of ourselves right now and do what we can to climb out of the standings. So, playing better. Playing pretty consistently. Doing a lot of good things right now," Kerr said. The Warriors improved to 22-19, good for eighth in the Western Conference after winning nine of their last 13 games. Still, the road ahead promises little respite in a tightly packed playoff race.
The Blazers, for their part, never quite found their footing. Shaedon Sharpe led the way with 19 points, while Jrue Holiday contributed 12 points and eight rebounds. Caleb Love, coming off a string of strong performances, finished with 17 points but struggled from the field. Portland shot just 30% from three-point range (14-of-47) and was out-rebounded and out-assisted by a Warriors team firing on all cylinders.
One for the record books: The game saw an NBA milestone as 21 different players made at least one three-pointer, shattering the previous record of 20. The long-range barrage underscored the modern NBA’s three-point revolution and showcased the depth of both rosters, even with so many regulars sidelined.
After Portland opened the second half with a 19-5 run to cut the deficit to 12, Golden State responded with a 7-0 burst, punctuated by tough defense and timely shooting. Curry and Green were able to rest for the entire fourth quarter, while Butler watched the final 10:30 from the bench—a rare luxury in a season where every minute has counted.
Kerr summed up the night succinctly: "Good night to get everybody on the floor. These are welcome nights when you can get them." And indeed, the Warriors' depth was on full display, with 12 players scoring and the team recording 34 assists on 42 made baskets.
Looking ahead, Golden State continues its eight-game homestand with a matchup against the New York Knicks on January 15. With the team finally healthy and showing signs of cohesion, the Warriors will look to build momentum and solidify their playoff positioning. For now, after a turbulent first half, hope springs eternal in the Bay Area.
