Hold on to your hats, basketball fans! The Golden State Warriors absolutely dominated the Portland Trail Blazers, securing a decisive 119-97 victory on Tuesday night, January 13, 2026. But here's the twist: Stephen Curry, usually the offensive powerhouse, played a different kind of game, focusing on facilitating rather than scoring. Was this a strategic shift, or just an off night for the superstar? Let's dive into the details.
Jimmy Butler led the Warriors in scoring with 16 points, a testament to Curry's incredible playmaking. Curry, despite a relatively quiet 7 points on 2-for-9 shooting, dished out an impressive 11 assists. This marked his second game of the season with double-digit assists and the 148th such game in his illustrious career. Butler also contributed six rebounds and five assists, showcasing his all-around game.
And this is the part most people miss: the sheer depth of both teams' shooting. The Warriors and Trail Blazers combined for an NBA record – get this – 21 different players making at least one 3-pointer! According to Elias, this shattered the previous record, highlighting the evolving nature of the modern NBA and its emphasis on perimeter shooting. Is this a sign of things to come, where everyone on the court is a potential threat from beyond the arc?
De'Anthony Melton had a standout performance off the bench for the Warriors, scoring a season-high 23 points. This was his fifth game in the last six reaching double figures, and his fourth consecutive, including his second 20-point showing. Gui Santos also made his presence felt with a career-high four steals, demonstrating the Warriors' ability to find valuable contributions from across their roster.
On the Trail Blazers' side, Shaedon Sharpe led the way with 19 points, while Caleb Love added 17 points and seven assists. However, the Blazers were noticeably weakened by the absence of their leading scorer, Deni Avdija, who was sidelined with lower back soreness. Avdija's 26.1 points per game were sorely missed, forcing Portland to start a pair of two-way players. This begs the question: could a healthy Avdija have changed the outcome of the game?
The loss marked the Trail Blazers' second straight defeat, following a loss to the New York Knicks that ended their five-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the Warriors were looking to bounce back from a 124-111 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, which had snapped their three-game home winning streak. They did so in emphatic fashion, building a season-best 26-point halftime lead. But here's where it gets controversial... Did the Warriors simply capitalize on a weakened opponent, or did they make significant adjustments after the Hawks loss?
Golden State came out firing, making 14 of their first 22 shots, including 8 of 15 from beyond the arc, to establish a commanding 38-22 lead. Moses Moody also etched his name in Warriors' history, as his 3-pointer in the first quarter moved him past current Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy for 12th place in franchise history for 3-pointers made, with a total of 364.
Looking ahead, the Trail Blazers will host the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night, while the Warriors will face the New York Knicks at home. Will Portland be able to bounce back from their recent struggles, and can the Warriors maintain their momentum against a tough Knicks team? Only time will tell.
So, what are your thoughts? Did Curry's playmaking make the Warriors more dangerous, even without his usual scoring output? Was Avdija's absence the deciding factor for the Trail Blazers? And most importantly, can anyone stop the Warriors when they're firing on all cylinders? Let us know your predictions in the comments below!
