In the first game of the 2019 Western Conference Finals, the Golden State Warriors came out swinging with a Game 1 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Golden State Warriors headed into the 2019 Western Conference Finals compromised but certainly not distraught with Kevin Durant set to miss Game 1 of their battle with the Portland Trail Blazers. Losing a player of his caliber normally creates seismic holes in the game plan of most teams, but the two-time defending champions aren’t most teams.
The Warriors didn’t appear to miss the reigning two-time Finals MVP at all in a game they led most of the way, dismantling Portland easily with a 116-94 victory.
In a duel between arguably the two best backcourts in the NBA, the Splash Brothers came out on top in Round 1. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum combined for 36 points. Stephen Curry alone matched them, while Klay Thompson put in 26 as well.
Steve Kerr went deep into his second unit, with six bench players seeing more than 10 minutes of action. The Blazers had three other players score in double-figures, led by both Rodney Hood and Maurice Harkless, who each chipped in 17 points of their own.
There’s a stark contrast to the way Golden State operates without KD, a style on full display in the opening game of this series. Both ball and player move with more of a purpose. Curry becomes just a little bit more selfish and unleashes the best version of himself in the form of whatever shot he pleases.
The Dubs will unquestionably welcome back Durant with open arms whenever he’s ready. Until then, they still look to be firing on all cylinders at both ends — a scary sight for a Blazers team still incapable of figuring them out. Here are three takeaways from the statement win in Game 1.