Steph Curry shines in preseason debut – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

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SAN FRANCISCO – Vibes are sky-high now that Warriors basketball has returned to Chase Center after what felt like an extra-long offseason.

The Warriors opened their 2025 preseason schedule with a 111-103 win Sunday night against the Los Angeles Lakers in front of their home fans.

Steph Curry played like he wishes he could fast forward to the regular season opener already. Curry in 15 minutes scored 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting and went 3 of 5 from 3-point range. As coach Steve Kerr noted pregame, Curry only played the first half.

Steph from downtown 💦 pic.twitter.com/AvO43B4ozO

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 6, 2025

So did Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. Butler also played 15 minutes and stuffed the box score with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting, four rebounds and two assists. He also was 3 of 4 on free throws. 

Green played 14 minutes and was a step behind Curry and Butler, knocking off some preseason rust. Going just 1 of 6 from the field while missing both of his 3-point attempts, Green had two points, three rebounds and five assists. But he also turned the ball over twice, was called for two fouls and found himself in a mini situation that referees had to review after Green and Jarred Vanderbilt got tangled at halfcourt.

As impressive as Curryâ€s first half was, it didnâ€t allow him to be the Warriors†leading scorer. Moses Moody was. Moody scored 13 points in the first half and ended as a plus-21 with 19 points in 15 minutes. Moody went 7 of 9 overall, and made five of his seven shots from long distance.

Moooooooody 👌 pic.twitter.com/MW2nFQgINu

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 6, 2025

Here are three takeaways from the Warriors†win to open the preseason.

Warriors Start Small

The first starting lineup of the Warriors†2025 preseason did not include one of their biggest additions. Center Al Horford began the game on the bench before being the first reserve to enter after three minutes. Coach Steve Kerr instead opted to go with the same lineup that helped propel them in their second-half success. 

Along with Curry, Butler and Green, Brandin Podziemski and Moody also were in the starting five. The lineup played 21 regular-season games together for a total of 211 minutes and registered a 16.4 net rating with a 120.6 offensive rating and 104.2 defensive rating. The Warriors trailed 11-8 when Kerr made his first change, bringing in Hoford for Moody. 

Though Moody had scored five of the Warriors†first eight points, a nasty dunk and a 3-pointer, he also was whistled for three fouls in three minutes.

Moses Moody throws it down 😤 pic.twitter.com/LYrSkB5hus

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 6, 2025

Curry looked like he was in midseason form right away, scoring 11 points over eight minutes in the first quarter. The Warriors are bound to use multiple starting lineups and combinations throughout the preseason. Curry appears ready to play with anybody.

First Look At Horford

It didnâ€t take long to notice what kind of impact Horford will have on the Warriors, whether he starts or comes off the big. A minute and a half after coming onto the floor, Horford showcased his high IQ by finding Curry for a perfectly executed give-and-go. 

Al Horford 🤠Steph pic.twitter.com/X4ifkPsDek

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 6, 2025

Horford in the first quarter only took one shot, a missed three, yet he still was a plus-4 in nine minutes. He already blocked two shots and dished two assists, as well as adding one rebound and one steal. 

In the second quarter, Horford spent time with 7-foot center Quinten Post, displaying the Warriors†new two-bigs lineup. Horford also blocked another shot and made his first three as a Warrior. The ball hummed when he was on the court, and the defense had a clear rim protector too.

Like Curry, Butler and Green, Horfordâ€s night was over after the first half. Horford in 14 minutes was a game-high plus-13 for the first half with three points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal and three blocked shots.

Second Half Stars

As the veterans enjoyed the second half as spectators, Kerr began the third quarter with Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Moody, Jonathan Kuminga and Post as his first five. 

Post within the first minute buried a three from the left wing. The Warriors†first five made shots of the third quarter were all threes – one by Post, two by Podziemski and two from Moody. Spacing will be a key to the Warriors†success, and it showed up and down the roster. 

Podziemski missed his one 3-point shot in the first half and then made two of his three in the third quarter. Moodyâ€s strong shooting through the first two quarters followed him to the third quarter before he took a seat. 

Then thereâ€s Kuminga. He played 15 minutes overall, coming out for good with six and a half minutes left in the third quarter. The results are what the Warriors want from Kuminga. Stats werenâ€t eye-popping, but thatâ€s not the point. 

JK 👀 pic.twitter.com/YpmHzpnCKb

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 6, 2025

Kuminga totaled five points, six rebounds, four assists and one blocked shot. He was active defensively, hit the glass and kept the ball moving offensively. For all the negative chatter in the offseason, this was a strong showing of a player bought-in for the betterment of the team.

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