Let’s talk about laboratory experiments and reality checks, Dub Nation. The Portland Trail Blazers (0-0) roll into Chase Center tonight for the Warriors’ second preseason exhibition, and while Golden State just dismantled the Lakers by eight in their opener, this matchup presents something LA couldn’t: a legitimately menacing defensive infrastructure designed specifically to disrupt everything the Warriors offense wants to accomplish.
Here’s what makes Portland dangerous even in October: they transformed into one of the league’s elite defensive units after last season’s midway point, ranking third in defensive rating and second in opponent three-point percentage in the second half. Then they went out and added Jrue Holiday—a six-time All-Defensive selection—to a roster already stocked with Toumani Camara (2025 All-Defensive Second Team), Matisse Thybulle (33 steals in just 15 games), and Robert Williams III (2022 All-Defensive Second Team).
That’s four legitimate defensive stoppers who can switch, pressure ball-handlers, and make life miserable for opposing guards. The kind of personnel that makes preseason basketball feel uncomfortably close to playoff intensity. Camara ranked among the league’s best in offensive fouls drawn (1st), charges drawn (1st) and defensive stops (2nd) for the season. Keep your eye on Camara tonight folks!
Portland’s also bringing defensive anchor Donovan Clingan, the 2025 All-Rookie Second Team selection who led all rookies in blocks per game despite playing under 20 minutes per contest. He ranked fifth in the entire NBA in blocked shots and first in contested shots per 36 minutes as a rookie. The Blazers ranked second in the league in offensive rebounds and second-chance points last year, so they’re going to crash the glass and force Golden State to finish defensive possessions with discipline—something that’s easier said than done in preseason rotations.
Here’s Portland blog Blazers Edge talking about Clingan’s defensive impact last season:
“Clingan has the best defensive rating of any Trail Blazers player in the regular rotation this year. The Blazers are 4.4 points better on defense per 100 possessions with Clingan in the game. Their effective field goal percentage allowed is 3.0% better as well. Those are big-time numbers, especially for a rookie.”
The Warriors won’t have to deal with Damian Lillard tonight (injury), but here’s where it gets interesting: watching how Steve Kerr deploys his new weapons against a team specifically constructed to disrupt perimeter offense. The Lakers didn’t have their stars on Saturday, so we got a clean look at rotation players. Tonight should give us a better sense of how the starters mesh against legitimate defensive pressure and length.
Warriors Players to Watch:
Moses Moody just dropped 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting with five triples against LA, playing with the kind of confidence that makes you wonder if he’s finally figured out the Klay Thompson blueprint. Facing Holiday and Thybulle (two of the league’s premier perimeter defenders) will tell us whether Saturday was a fluke or the start of something real. This is the exact test he needs.
Al Horford and Quinten Post need more reps together. The double-stretch big lineup looked devastating against the Lakers (Post was +20), and Portland’s aggressive rebounding will test whether this frontcourt pairing can hold up defensively while maintaining elite spacing. Clingan’s rim protection will force both bigs to prove they can finish through contact or make the right pass.
Jonathan Kuminga logged just five points in 15 minutes against LA while Moody exploded. He’s still got time to prove he belongs in the closing lineup, and Portland’s defensive versatility with multiple wings who can match his athleticism means he’ll see different looks all night. Time to show up and show out.
Portland’s defense is legit, and the Warriors are trying to keep adding to that ridiculous 21-4 preseason record since 2020. This could be a good one.