The Golden State Warriors defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 139-104 on Wednesday night to start the season. Stephen Curry finished with 17 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds before sitting out the fourth quarter.

For the Warriors, who were eliminated from the playoffs the previous season, Buddy Hield scored 22 points off the bench.

The Warriors overcame Portland’s nine-point lead in the first quarter to take a 62-50 halftime lead. Curry opened the second half with a 3-pointer, and Golden State went on to lead by as much as 37 points.Scoot Henderson scored 22 points off the bench to lead Portland. Shaedon Sharpe’s shoulder ailment prevented him from playing.

Terry Stotts, the Blazers’ head coach from 2012 to 2021, is currently Steve Kerr’s assistant with the Warriors. When the Blazers presented a tribute to Stotts on the video scoreboard during the first quarter, Stotts thanked the crowd.

I believe that this year we are more organized than we have ever been. Terry has had a significant role in it,” Kerr stated. “He’s added so much to our staff and given us some different stuff that we’re excited about.”After receiving his first technical of the season for a foul call late in the first half, Draymond Green glared at the referees. Green was taken off the court by Kerr, who put an arm around his shoulder.

Curry, who had won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Paris, moved up to 38th place on the NBA’s all-time career list with seven assists in the first quarter alone, surpassing Clyde Drexler (6,125).

The Warriors travel to the Jazz on Friday, and the Trail Blazers play the Pelicans in the third game of their three-game homestand. ___