OAKLAND -- The ring ceremony was nice, the start fantastic. And then things got sticky for the Warriors in their season opener Tuesday night at Oracle Arena.
Though they led by as much as 14 points in the first half, the two-time defending NBA champions stalled out on offense and turned leaky on defense, falling behind in the fourth quarter before coming back for a 108-100 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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Stephen Curry scored 32 points and Kevin Durant added 27 as Golden State held off OKC down the stretch.
Here are three takeaways from the Warriors' victory:
Injury concerns -- already
So much about this Warriors season is linked to the health of the squad. To that end, the last thing they wanted to see was Andre Iguodala's departure in the first half.
Golden State Warriors
Iguodala left the game with 6:11 remaining in the second quarter and the Warriors leading 43-37. He headed for the locker room shortly thereafter and was diagnosed with tightness in his left calf.
Upon announcing Iguodala’s condition in the third quarter, the Warriors listed his return as questionable, although he never did return.
Iguodala is a crucial component of the Warriors' defensive mentality and offensive ball distribution. If he misses significant time, it will mean a heavier load for veteran Shaun Livingston and perhaps the newest member of the Warriors, Alfonzo McKinnie.
Hot Klay turns cold
There was no more devastating shooter in the preseason than Klay Thompson, who shot 51.6 percent from the field and an astonishing 55.2 percent beyond the arc.
That streak came to a dead halt in the opener.
The Warriors guard shot 5 of 20 from the field, including 1 of 8 from 3-point range. Some shots were rushed, some contested, others wide open. He made all three of his free-throw attempts and finished with 14 points.
The Warriors dodged some damage here. Even with weapons such as Curry and Durant, there’s a lot they have to overcome when Thompson misses 15 of 20 shots.
Jones plays well in first NBA start
Making his first NBA start, third-year center Damian Jones played 27 minutes and finished with 12 points (6-of-7 shooting), three rebounds, three blocked shots and two assists.
Though his numbers were solid but not spectacular, Jones managed to achieve his No. 1 priority. He effectively neutralized brutish Thunder center Steven Adams, who finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in 36 minutes.
Adams, however, did most of his damage when Jones was off the floor. Kevon Looney and Jordan Bell also took assignments trying to keep Adams, the NBA’s best offensive rebounder, from owning the paint.
Indeed, during one fourth-quarter sequence, Adams muscled his way toward the basket, only to have his shot rejected by Jones.