Portland Trail Blazers vs Golden State Warriors

The game is scheduled for October 8, 2025, with tip-off at 7:00 PM Pacific Time (10:00 PM ET) and will be held at Chase Center in San Francisco. It’s the Trail Blazers’ preseason opener and the Warriors’ second preseason game. Telecast coverage is slated to be carried on NBA TV nationally and on NBC Sports Bay Area locally in the Warriors market; in the Portland region, KUNP is expected to carry the game.

Portland begins the game in a weakened state. Franchise cornerstone Damian Lillard remains out for the season due to a torn Achilles. Rising guard Scoot Henderson is sidelined with a hamstring injury and has not been cleared for action. In addition, Robert Williams III is unavailable, reportedly not yet cleared for full contact. On the Golden State Warriors side, De’Anthony Melton remains sidelined with a knee injury. Also, Alex Toohey is listed as unavailable for undisclosed reasons. Because of these absences, both teams are expected to lean heavily on bench players and younger rotation options to fill gaps.

On Portland’s end, much of the tactical focus will revolve around defensive intensity and maximizing the strengths of their depth pieces. Portland’s offseason additions, notably Jrue Holiday, bolster a defensive core already featuring Toumani Camara, Matisse Thybulle (if healthy), and Robert Williams (when available). The Blazers aim to disrupt ball-handlers, contest three-point attempts, and pressure mismatches. Golden State, under Steve Kerr, is expected to experiment with lineups and extension of minutes for veterans this game after limiting them in the first exhibition. The Warriors are also expected to start Al Horford at center in this contest, in part to test interior spacing and positional flexibility. Kerr’s strategy likely will include mixing small-ball with more traditional lineups and assessing which combinations best balance perimeter spacing and rim protection.

In the media, the matchup is being framed largely as a “laboratory game” — not about the win or loss, but about experimentation and assessment. For Portland, narratives focus on how the roster holds up in Lillard’s absence and whether the new defensive identity can manifest under pressure. For Golden State, the storylines center on how Kerr will deploy veterans versus young pieces, the integration of Al Horford, and how the team handles spacing and rotations. Some pundits are watching Moses Moody, who impressed early, to see whether he’ll push for a more consistent rotation role. Others point to how the Warriors’ backcourt will compensate for Melton’s absence.

Ahead of tip-off, analysts in studio are expected to emphasize matchups and depth. One common line is that Portland’s defensive structure (with Holiday, Camara, Thybulle) could present unique challenges even in a preseason game. Analysts will also likely spotlight Golden State’s positional experimentation: where to put Horford, how to balance floor spacing, and which bench players might emerge. Some studio voices might caution that Portland’s injuries are too steep to expect a tight contest, but will nevertheless watch whether the Blazers’ younger contributors step up. Others may debate whether Kerr’s decision to extend minutes for veterans is wise or risk overuse early. Overall, the analysts are treating this as an informative dress rehearsal rather than a must-win, with emphasis on what the game reveals rather than what it means for standings.