After enduring six games with at least one key player sidelined, the Golden State Warriors are finally reuniting their Big Three for a crucial matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.
Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green will take the floor as starters, flanked by Moses Moody and Quinten Post in the lineup. This marks the Warriors’ 15th different starting five of the season, highlighting the ongoing experimentation amid injuries and adjustments.
On the other side, the Blazers will counter with a starting unit featuring Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, Jerami Grant, Toumani Camara, and Donovan Clingan.
Big Three Lineups Have Been Dominant
The Warriors sit at a middling 13-13 record, which might paint them as an average squad—and perhaps that’s how the season will shake out. But zoom in on their performance with Curry, Butler, and Green sharing the court, and a different story emerges.
Golden State boasts a stellar plus-13.2 points per 100 possessions when its Big Three is on the floor, according to Cleaning the Glass. That’s even stronger than last season’s plus-8.7 net rating for those lineups, which helped propel the Warriors to a 23-8 record after Butler’s debut.
With Portland holding a 9-16 mark but already owning a 2-0 edge over Golden State this season, a strong opening punch will be essential. The onus falls on the Big Three to deliver that momentum from the tip-off.
Why Moody over Spencer Makes Sense
Pat Spencer got the nod alongside Curry in Friday’s starting lineup, but the pairing of two 6’2″ guards yielded mixed results at best. It wasn’t a breakout success, prompting head coach Steve Kerr to pivot quickly toward more size in the first unit.
This shift is a smart one. The Warriors have struggled to contain Portland’s 6’8″ wing Deni Avdija in previous meetings, and he would have exploited switches to isolate Spencer. Moody, with his length and defensive tools, stands a better chance of holding his own against Avdija.
Additionally, Green’s return diminishes the need for Spencer’s playmaking and passing skills in the starting group. Look for Spencer to handle the non-Curry minutes off the bench—despite a rough outing on Friday, Butler-Spencer combinations have posted an impressive plus-22.3 net rating this season.