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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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The Kings might be the most conditioned team during the 2025-26 NBA season.

On Day 5 of Sacramento training camp, power forward Drew Eubanks explained how coach Doug Christieâ€s squad has been working in ways the veteran never has experienced over his lengthy career in the league.

“Itâ€s been really good,†Eubanks told reporters Saturday. “Honestly, this is probably the hardest training camp Iâ€ve had or ever been a part of. It seems like every single day has been a two-and-a-half-hour [or] three-hour practice where weâ€re getting up and down competing.Â

“And yeah, itâ€s been great so far. Love it.â€

Eubanks, who signed a one-year free-agent contract with the Kings on July 8 after being waived by the Los Angeles Clippers, is a seven-year NBA veteran.

His endorsement of how challenging the Kings†training camp is appears to be positive. And Eubanks wouldnâ€t mess around, considering he played four seasons under legendary San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

Sacramento hopes Eubanks can help the Kings off the bench, especially as a reserve behind star center Domantas Sabonis. Eubanks is confident that the tiring regimen only will help the new-look Purple and Black when the season starts on Oct. 21.

“Weâ€re just going to be in better shape once the season starts — more connected,†Eubanks said.

Eubanks has career averages of 5.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists. He will be competing with players such as Dario Šarić for reserve minutes in the frontcourt.

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It’s normal to be starstruck by someone you’ve admired your entire life. But when that person now is your Warriors teammate, those interactions can be hard to get used to.

Golden State rookies Chance McMillian, 24, and Will Richard, 22, quickly learned that during Warriors Media Day last week, when an adorably relatable interaction with franchise superstar Steph Curry went viral on social media.

Even though McMillian and Richard were too shy to ask Curry for a photo right away, the two-time NBA MVP happily obliged after the pair of rookies, patiently waiting, were put on blast.

So, what do youngsters like McMillian and Richard do with a professional photo taken alongside their NBA idol?

“Sent it straight to my mom,” McMillian told The Athletic’s Nick Friedell, noting her immediately reply was one full of pride. “You know how moms get.”

The interaction with Curry immediately racked up millions of views online as a moment that Dub Nation and most NBA fans certainly understood.

“Literally everyone I know sent it back to me or said something to me about it,” McMillian told Friedell. “It was pretty funny.”

McMillian, an undrafted free agent, signed with the Warriors last Monday but was waived a few hours later. He’s expected to contribute for G League Santa Cruz Warriors this season, per Friedell, and the Media Day photo wil serve as a reminder of how far he has come.

“Last year, when I was at [Texas] Tech, I was trying to figure out ways how to move off the ball and get open and I pulled up some Steph clips,” McMillian told Friedell. “And now here I am, weâ€re in the same locker room. …

“I still am a big Steph fan. I grew up watching him. The Warriors have been my team since Andris Biedriņš, David Lee, those days. So itâ€s still like not real, but itâ€s starting to settle in.”

Richard, the Warriors’ No. 56 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, did something similar to McMillian with his Curry picture.

“I sent it to my parents,” Richard told Friedell. “Their first words was ‘We got to frame this.†That was literally their first words.”

Also like McMillian, and many other NBA youngsters, Richard grew up idolizing Curry. And after signing a reported four-year, $8.69 million contract with Golden State, the two are set to be teammates for a while — or, however much longer Curry, 37, remains in the league.

“I grew up loving the Warriors,” Richard told Friedell. “Watching them, watching Steph. Loving him and Klay [Thompson] and Draymond [Green], and just seeing what they did here so being a part of it is a blessing. Itâ€s a dream come true for me.”

Both Richard and McMillian told Friedell they’ll likely hang their photo with Curry in somewhere in their homes. The hilarious moment led to a cherished memento they’ll treasure throughout their lives and respective NBA careers — a reminder of where they started, and what they can achieve.

“[I’m going to] definitely have it somewhere in the house,” McMillian told Friedell. “But Iâ€ll use it as constant motivation because this is the best shooter of all time. And Iâ€m going to use it as motivation to work hard and get where heâ€s at. Because not everyone in the world has a vet thatâ€s Steph Curry.”

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SAN FRANCISCO – Jimmy Butler is going through his first training camp with the Warriors after being acquired from the Miami Heat at last Februaryâ€s trade deadline, but his preseason debut with the team might have to wait.Â

Butler rolled his ankle Thursday and did not practice Friday or Saturday. Coach Steve Kerr is calling Butlerâ€s status a “question mark†for Sundayâ€s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center.

“Thatâ€ll be a training staff decision,†Kerr said.

Steve Kerr reveals Jimmy Butler is “a question mark” for the Warriors’ preseason opener after rolling his ankle pic.twitter.com/1INBAWT5eo

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 4, 2025

The Warriors and director of sports medicine and performance Rick Celebrini will be extremely cautious with the health of players throughout preseason, especially veterans like Butler, Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Al Horford. Curry, Green and Horford are expected to play Sunday.

Center Trayce Jackson-Davis also is considered questionable for the Warriors. Jackson-Davis when speaking Saturday at the podium had his right thumb taped up.

He says it isnâ€t anything to worry about.

“Thumbâ€s good,†Jackson-Davis said. “Just a little precaution.â€

Guard Deâ€Anthony Melton continues to rehab from left ACL surgery he underwent in December. Melton will miss all of the 2025-26 NBA preseason, as well as the start of the regular season. He has been able to go through individual work as the rest of Warriors practice and scrimmage in training camp.Â

The Warriors on Wednesday announced Melton will be re-evaluated in four weeks.

Rookie Alex Toohey also will not be healthy enough to play Sunday, delaying his NBA preseason debut. Toohey has been dealing with an ankle injury that has hampered him in training camp and prior to that as well.Â

With their first of two second-round draft picks, the Warriors selected Toohey No. 52 overall in June. Toohey, a 6-foot-8 forward from Australia, played six summer league games and averaged 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.Â

The Lakers on Friday played their first preseason game, losing 103-81 against the Phoenix Suns. LeBron James and Luka DonÄić both didnâ€t play in the loss.

Kerr plans to use a deep rotation Sunday without any one player tiring himself out.

“I donâ€t think anybody will play much more than 15, 18 minutes,†Kerr said. “Maybe a couple young guys get into the 20s. First game, I love to give everybody time. I want to give every player whoâ€s on the active list some minutes.â€

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The addition of center Al Horford figures to pay dividends for the Warriors in several ways during the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season.

As coach Steve Kerr sees it, one of those ways could be helping a 22-year-old budding star break out.

“Maybe Al and JK [Jonathan Kuminga],†Kerr answered Friday when reporters asked which Horford combination excites him most. “You know, I think thatâ€s a two-man combo that could make some sense.â€

Kerr and the Warriors have long searched for a way to get more consistent production from Kuminga, who has flashed immense potential but also experienced bouts of ineffectiveness throughout his career.

Per Kerr, Horford could be the key to finally stabilizing Kuminga and turning his lineups into winning combos.

“With JK, we want to give him space when heâ€s got the ball,†Kerr said. “Al can do that. So, if JKâ€s at the four, Alâ€s at the five and we put shooters around those guys, that could be an interesting combination.â€

Horford enters his 19th NBA season as the Warriors†biggest offseason addition. A veteran center who can space the floor and play quality defense, the 39-year-old could give Golden State a dimension theyâ€ve lacked in recent years under Kerr.

“The defensive wherewithal that Al has, just the accumulation of so much knowledge and experience in his career, is definitely going to help him and help us,†Kerr said. “Another big, athletic rim protector can only help.â€

Plus, Kerr added, Kuminga wonâ€t be the only direct beneficiary of Horfordâ€s presence.

“Al, with anybody, is going to be good,†the Warriors†head coach said. “It doesnâ€t matter if itâ€s Draymond [Green], Jimmy [Butler]…he could even play with Trayce [Jackson-Davis] or QP [Quinten Post]. So, the beauty of Al is the versatility he gives us from a lineup standpoint.â€

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Now that heâ€s officially back in the fold, Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga is ready to build off his promising end to the 2024-25 NBA season.

Specifically, the 22-year-old hopes to refine the chemistry he cultivated with veteran star Jimmy Butler. Speaking to reporters during his media session on Thursday, Kuminga acknowledged the crucial experience he gained playing with Butler in Golden Stateâ€s Western Conference semifinal loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves last season.

“I think itâ€s very important that weâ€re here now, early, trying to figure each other out,†Kuminga said. “And I feel like we actually did [figure each other out] going through that series.â€

When Stephen Curry suffered an injury in Game 1 that ultimately ended his season, the Warriors called on Kuminga to help plug the gaping hole left in their offense. The Timberwolves prevailed in five games, but Kuminga led Golden State in series scoring and shot over 54 percent from the field, while Butler led the team in assists.

That duo figures to play a huge role in the Warriors†upcoming 2025-26 season, and Kuminga wants to do his part in helping his connection with Butler flourish even more.

“Itâ€s very easy and simple to play with Jimmy,†Kuminga said. “And we actually get to sit down more now. I get to go ask him certain questions. How does he like to play? What does he like? I feel like us having a lot of time together, me being healthy, him being healthy, him being here from day one training camp-wise…itâ€s going to help us figuring out certain things about each other going forward.â€

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The Kings are counting on Dennis Schröderâ€s on-ball defense to lighten Keegan Murrayâ€s workload. With the veteran guard joining the starting unit, Murray said he expects to spend less time guarding opposing point guards — a shift that could free him up for other matchups.

“I think with Dennis, obviously it helps,” Murray said. “I won’t guard as many point guards as I did. Obviously, they’ll be versatile in where I guard, obviously, the best player on the court. But, obviously, Dennis is able to do that too. So, it’ll be interesting to see once we get into the season.”

Schröder, entering his 12th NBA season, has built a reputation as a relentless defender. The 32-year-old German guard averages 0.8 steals and 2.9 rebounds per game across his career.

That skill set could be crucial for a Sacramento team that finished last season with a 115.68 defensive rating, a number that often undercut the Kings†high-powered offense.

With Schröder applying pressure on the perimeter, the Kings hope Murray can focus on defending bigger wings and conserving energy for his expanding offensive role.

“Obviously, with Dennis, it helps me a lot in the starting unit to pick up four court, disrupt the ball handling and things like that,” Murray added. “We’ve seen improvement. At this point, it’s just going out against someone else and going out against the opponent, not obviously making that happen in the game. So, you can’t really just do it in practice and not do it in the game.”

Murray averaged 12.4 points and 6/7 rebounds last season while shooting .343 percent from three.

The Kings will find out soon enough if Schröderâ€s defensive edge can help Murray — and the team — strike a better balance.

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SAN FRANCISCO – Somewhere beneath the frequent chatter related to the Warriors†relatively elderly core, there is a quieter concern about their roster.

Theyâ€re still small by NBA standards. They donâ€t have a classic rim protector in the mold of ex-Warrior Andrew Bogut or, in todayâ€s game, Victor Wembanyama or Walker Kessler. All three stand at least 7 feet.

Golden State must find a way to offset that deficiency, and the logical start is by strengthening its point-of-attack defense. If your defense lacks a natural deterrent, closing the freeway to the rim becomes imperative.

That message is being delivered to all the guards and wings on the roster, particularly those not named Stephen Curry. Itâ€s on the minds of Moses Moody, Gary Payton II, Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga and rookie Will Richard. Same applies to Deâ€Anthony Melton, who wonâ€t be active until November at the soonest. There is depth within the teamâ€s backcourt defenders.

Moody, who at times last season filled that role, seems energized by the prospect of expanding his opportunities.

“It really let me know how fun it is,†he said Friday, referring to last seasonâ€s trial. “I really enjoyed picking up high, bothering the ball, reaching when I can. Thereâ€s just a feeling to it. As a kid I used to love to wrestle . . .  it just kind of feels like that when I’m chasing guys around, grabbing trying to get the ball. It just kind of takes me back there, and I like it. Itâ€s fun.â€

At 6-foot-5, with a 7-foot wingspan, Moody is well built to match up with the likes of such dangerous ballhandling scorers as Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards and James Harden of the LA Clippers.

Payton, 32, concedes that his athleticism has diminished a bit over the years, but realizes on-ball defense is the greatest asset he can brings to the Warriors.

“I probably wouldn’t be here without it,†he told NBC Sports Bay Area on Friday. “It wasn’t so I’m pretty sure I got to keep that ‘on lock†and just cause havoc. I know I’m not same athletic guy I used to be a few years ago. But when it gets down to the crunch time, gets down to April and beyond, I can still do it. They can look to me to guard that guy.â€

There were numerous games last season when the Warriors built substantial leads, only to get cooked down the stretch, with opposing guards doing most of the torching. There also were games when the Warriors simply couldnâ€t compete with teams that bullied them at the rim.

In the Warriors†final game of the season, Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals at Minnesota, they gave up a whopping 72 point the paint. Golden State was minus-22 in the paint.

Itâ€s conceivable that whoever starts the season sharing the backcourt with Stephen Curry will be the primary point-of-attack defender. With Melton out of action, coach Steve Kerr could follow a game-by-game matchup plan until someone seizes the role. Could be Moody or Payton. Podziemski, who makes up for what he lacks in athleticism with persistence, is another potential option.

He was prone to fouls last season – too much reaching – and his plaintive complaints to officials often led to lapses in focus. This was pointed out by Kerr as an issue the third-year guard must control to continue his development.

“The big thing to show another leap would be emotional maturity,†Podziemski said this week. “Talking to the refs is included in that. But, just keeping a composure about myself so that my teammates see that.â€

The Warriors will have defenders on the back line. Al Horford, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler III in the starting lineup, with Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quentin Post coming off the bench. Post is 7-feet but lacks the instincts and athleticism to be a consistently effective rim protector.

Golden Stateâ€s defense will rise and fall with the ability of its point-of-attack defenders to limit penetration. Kerr has several candidates, mostly young and spirited, and he might have to use them all.

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Dub Nation, the greatest shooter in NBA history will take the floor in the Warriors†2025-2026 NBA preseason opener.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, coach Steve Kerr revealed star guard Steph Curryâ€s minutes strategy during Golden Stateâ€s preseason opener on Oct. 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center.Â

To no surprise, Kerr and Co. will restrict Curryâ€s minutes, but the Chef will play, nonetheless.

“I talked to Steph today and Rick [Celebrini]. [Steph] is going to play 15 minutes probably,†Kerr told reporters on Friday.Â

Last season, Curry, with a massive scoring responsibility on his shoulders, recorded his 14th season with more than 32 minutes of average playing time.

Kerr also added that stars Jimmy Butler, who co-carried a substantial scoring load since being traded to the Warriors in February, and Draymond Green will also have their minutes limited.

“And the same plan will be there for Draymond and Jimmy, pending how they are feeling on Sunday,†Kerr added.

“We are going to scrimmage tomorrow as well. We will have to talk to the guys before the game Sunday, but 15 minutes sounds about right for that group, if they are playing.â€

With a key issue for the Warriors being surviving non-Curry minutes, it appears the best strategy is managing the Chefâ€s workload from the get-go.

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Move over Steph, thereâ€s a new Curry in town.

The Warriors signed Seth Curry to a one-year free-agent contract on Wednesday, bringing together the two sharpshooting brothers in the Bay for the 2025-26 NBA season.

And Seth wasted no time having fun with his new team and the local media. He told reporters on Thursday in San Francisco about his lighthearted effort to take Stephâ€s iconic No. 30 Warriors jersey.

“I tried to buy it from him,†Seth said about Stephâ€s jersey number. “He said he didnâ€t need the money. [I] donâ€t think the NBA would like it either.â€

Steph … probably doesnâ€t need the money. The 37-year-old has made just $410.5 million entering his 17th NBA season — all with the Warriors.

Regarding his brother, though, maybe Seth truly deserves the right to wear No. 30. After all, the 35-year-old has worn No. 30 often over his 11 NBA seasons and holds the higher career 3-point shooting percentage, with 43.3 to Stephâ€s 42.3.

Though Steph has made 4,058 career triples compared to Sethâ€s 945. And the two have vastly different trophy cases, to say the least.

Steph has worn the No. 30 on his back for all of his 1,181 career games — including 155 NBA playoff games.

So, sorry, Seth, but there is no universe where he steals No. 30 as Stephâ€s teammate on the Warriors. Heâ€ll have to make do with No. 31.

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