The Golden State Warriors aim to build on their record-breaking opener with a second consecutive season-opening road win against the Utah Jazz on Friday night in Salt Lake City. The Warriors set franchise records for points in a road opener and margin of victory in any season debut with their 139-104 thrashing of the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.
The game featured impressive debuts for Buddy Hield, who scored 22 points—second-most in franchise history by a Warrior off the bench in his first game for the team—and new teammates Kyle Anderson, Lindy Waters III, and De’Anthony Melton, who combined for 20 points. Seven Warriors scored in double figures, and six made at least two 3-pointers as Stephen Curry marked his 16th opening night for the team.
Andrew Wiggins, scoring 20 points, noted the team felt different this season beyond just new faces.
The Warriors, who swept the Jazz 4-0 last season and won their last five meetings, will face a team that fought hard but fell 126-124 to the Memphis Grizzlies in their opener. Lauri Markkanen, one of Golden State’s off-season targets, led Utah with 35 points. Coach Will Hardy praised Walker Kessler (16 points, 14 rebounds) and Taylor Hendricks (12 points, 3-for-5 on 3-pointers) for their promising performances.
Utah’s perimeter defense is a concern, having allowed the Grizzlies to hit 17 three-pointers at a 37.8% clip. They’ll now face a Warriors team that went 20-for-48 (41.7%) from deep in Portland. Hield (5-for-7) and Wiggins (4-for-7) led the long-range attack, while Curry scored 17 points, adding 10 assists and nine rebounds in just 25 minutes.
