A New NBA Season Begins with Surprises
The NBA season opened with an action-packed clash in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, where the Golden State Warriors secured a 119–109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Jimmy Butler led the charge with 31 points, while Stephen Curry added 23 to help the Warriors start their campaign on a winning note.
Despite a stunning 43-point performance from Luka Doncic, the Lakers fell short — marking their ninth loss in ten season openers.
LeBron James Absent from the Season Opener
For the first time in his 23-year NBA career, LeBron James missed a season opener. The league’s all-time leading scorer is currently sidelined with sciatica, an injury expected to keep him out until mid-November.
James was seen supporting his teammates from the bench as the Lakers adjusted to life without their iconic leader in the lineup.
Luka Doncic Impresses in Lakers Debut
Luka Doncic made an explosive start to his first full season with the Lakers, scoring 43 points — his 47th career game with 40 or more. The Slovenian star also contributed 12 rebounds and nine assists, coming close to a triple-double.
However, despite his heroics, Doncic struggled from long range, managing just two of ten 3-point attempts. His efforts weren’t enough to prevent Los Angeles from yet another disappointing season opener.
Warriors Find Strength in Depth
The Golden State Warriors looked balanced and confident throughout the game.
Jimmy Butler: 31 points, perfect 16-for-16 from the free-throw line.
Stephen Curry: 23 points, including a clutch 3-pointer in the final minute.
Jonathan Kuminga: 17 points, providing strong support off the bench.
Buddy Hield: Five 3-pointers, adding valuable perimeter shooting.
The Warriors opened the second half with a dominant 19–4 run, extending their lead to 17 points. Though the Lakers rallied late through Austin Reaves, Golden State’s composure and experience sealed the win.
Lakers’ Late Effort Falls Short
Austin Reaves led the Lakers’ late comeback attempt, scoring 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter after battling foul trouble earlier in the game.
New signing Deandre Ayton added 10 points and six rebounds in his debut, while Marcus Smart contributed nine points. However, the Lakers’ defence struggled to contain Golden State’s sharp shooting and fast-paced ball movement.
Key Moments of the Game
The Warriors’ 19–4 third-quarter run proved decisive, building a cushion the Lakers couldn’t overcome.
Draymond Green, who scored only eight points, still made an impact with a crucial 3-pointer late in the game that stopped the Lakers’ momentum.
Veteran Al Horford made his Warriors debut, hitting a 3-pointer with his first shot of his 19th NBA season.
What’s Next
Golden State Warriors: Host the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.
Los Angeles Lakers: Face the Minnesota Timberwolves at home on Friday night.
Final Thoughts
The Warriors’ opening-night victory highlighted their trademark resilience and teamwork, even as Curry took a back seat to other offensive contributors. Meanwhile, the Lakers will need to regroup quickly and adjust without LeBron James, relying heavily on Luka Doncic’s brilliance to stay competitive early in the season.
Source References:
NBA.com
ESPN Game Recap
Associated Press (AP) Sports Coverage
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