It was only a matter of time before the Splash Brothers chimed in with a poignant reminder to the Warriors’ recent youth-fueled surge.

It takes everyone, to be sure, but this team’s potential will be determined by its decorated veterans, starting with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Though everyone on the roster participated Saturday night, it was Thompson and Curry’s 55 points through three quarters that sparked a 126-106 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at a sold-out Chase Center.

The performance was an excellent demonstration of the emerging veteran/youngster balance that Golden State has sought for several years, with everyone on the team participating.

“The balance feels right,” Coach Steve Kerr stated. “We have a lot of alternatives every night as a staff, and a lot of good players, so we can endure injuries. The group simply feels perfect. We have an extremely strong squad with players who compliment each other nicely.”

The Warriors (15-14) have won five consecutive games and are above.500 for the first time since November 12, when they were 6-5. During this time, the spotlight has primarily been on the young players: rookie center Trayce Jackson-Davis, third-year big Jonathan Kuminga, third-year wing Moses Moody, and rookie guard Brandin Podziemski.

Curry had 27 points and Thompson had 23 through three quarters, and the Splash Brothers had combined for 24 of Golden State’s 32 points in the third quarter, so all the youngsters had to do was finish the job.

Which they did, with help from 38-year-old Chris Paul, in occasionally spectacular style. Golden State’s 37-29 lead in the fourth quarter sent the Blazers back to Oregon for Christmas.

“I love to see the young guys get their shot because they work as hard as anybody,” Thompson said in a statement. “They remained patient. Their playing time may be sporadic, but it is encouraging to watch them come in and make an impact, not only by scoring but also by rebounding, taking charges, and moving the ball. It’s incredible to witness.

“This is the Warriors way. It makes me very glad and proud to be a veteran.”

Every squad member had a “plus” plus/minus for the game except Jackson-Davis, who was minus-1 despite scoring 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting, five rebounds, and three assists in 17 minutes.

Podziemski nearly had a triple-double, finishing with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and a season- and career-high seven assists; the young 20-year-old from Santa Clara University was plus-25 in 32 minutes. Kuminga finished with 11 points, six rebounds, and a season-high five assists in 30 minutes, earning a plus-18 rating. Moody had 11 points and was plus-6 in 17 minutes.

But this was a night for Curry, 35, a two-time MVP and nine-time All-Star, to lead the way. And Thompson, a five-time All-Star who, at 33, is desperate to return to the league’s annual weekend showcase for the first time since 2019.

Thompson, 33, went 11 of 16 from the field, including 6 of 10 from distance. Curry went 11 of 18 from the field, including 2 of 6 from beyond the arc and 3 of 3 from the line. Klay played 31 minutes and Steph 30.

“Steph and Klay playing the right way, it frees everything up for the rest of the guys that are out there,” Podziemski said in a statement.

The veterans shone in the third quarter, which has historically been difficult for the Warriors. Curry and Thompson combined to shoot 10 of 15 as Portland attempted to close an 11-point halftime lead, while the rest of the team went 4 of 9.

Podziemski and Jackson-Davis swiftly increased their 12-point lead (89-77) to 19 with 9:58 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Blazers got no closer than 13 the rest of the way.

“It just feels like the balance is great this year,” Mr. Kerr remarked. “(General manager) Mike Dunleavy did an excellent job with this roster. We have the veterans, who form the foundation of this team. But look at Brandin, JK, and Moses, three young men who are making significant contributions to our club. “The balance feels right.”

The Warriors are one season removed from attempting and failing to integrate their young players with their veterans. Jordan Poole, James Wiseman, Patrick Baldwin Jr., and Ryan Rollins, all under the age of 20 at the time of their draft, were moved away.