On Monday night at Chase Center, the Warriors received a clear reminder that every quarter matters.
They dominated both offensively and defensively in the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers, building a commanding 19-point lead at 68-49. However, they struggled in the third quarter, getting outscored 43-34—a wake-up call they couldn’t ignore.
Both teams put up 28 points in the fourth quarter, emphasizing just how crucial the Warriors’ strong first half was in securing their 130-120 victory.
Surprisingly, the night’s standout player wasn’t Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, or Draymond Green. Instead, it was Gary Payton II.
Facing his former team, which had rewarded him with a significant contract after the Warriors’ 2022 championship win, Payton delivered an outstanding performance. He was lethal from beyond the arc, relentless on defense, electrified the crowd with a powerful dunk, and even showcased some impressive acrobatics.
Here are three key takeaways from the Warriors’ fifth straight win:
GP … 3️⃣
While all eyes were on Stephen Curry’s pursuit of his 4,000th career three-pointer, Gary Payton II stole the spotlight from beyond the arc. Normally, any three-pointer from Payton is a welcome bonus, but when he’s hitting multiple, it’s a sign the Warriors’ offense is firing on all cylinders.
Payton provided an early spark off the bench, scoring seven points in the first quarter, including a three from the right corner. The real fireworks came in the second quarter when the Warriors outscored the Blazers 33-22. Payton knocked down three more triples—from the left corner, right corner, and top of the arc—matching his career high for threes in a game and tying his season high with 16 points by halftime.
His hot streak continued in the second half, ultimately leading to a new career-high scoring performance. Maybe it’s time to start calling him GP3 .
Battle of the Rookie Centers
The matchup between rookie starting centers showcased a stark contrast in draft positions—the No. 7 overall pick, Donovan Clingan, against the Warriors’ second-round steal, Quinten Post, taken 45th overall.
Clingan wasted no time proving his defensive prowess, blocking Post’s hook shot on the Warriors’ opening possession and rejecting him again at the rim shortly after. However, Post quickly responded by demonstrating his shooting touch, draining a three-pointer on the next possession.