Warriors Edge Lakers 119–109 in LeBron-less Season Opener
The Golden State Warriors kicked off the season with a 119–109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Golden State’s balanced offense and timely defense proved decisive in a game the Lakers tried to salvage without LeBron James.
Standout performances
Jimmy Butler paced the Warriors with 31 points and made all 16 of his free throws, anchoring the team in crunch time. Stephen Curry added 23 points, including a late 3 that helped seal the win. Role players also stepped up — Jonathan Kuminga scored 17 and Buddy Hield hit five threes.
For Los Angeles, Luka Dončić dominated with 43 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists. Austin Reaves provided a spark late with 26 points (13 in the fourth), while Deandre Ayton contributed 10 points and 6 rebounds.
How the game turned
The Warriors opened a gap early in the second half by ripping off a 19–4 run that stretched their lead into the double digits. The Lakers battled back in the fourth, but Draymond Green’s clutch 3 helped extinguish L.A.’s momentum and allowed Golden State to close comfortably.
Quick game snapshot
- Final: Warriors 119, Lakers 109
- Top scorers: Jimmy Butler 31, Luka Dončić 43
- Notable: LeBron James did not play (sciatica)
What this means
The loss raises questions about the Lakers’ depth when LeBron is out, though Dončić’s performance shows they can still compete. The Warriors look cohesive early — the blend of star scoring and supporting shooters gives them a strong baseline heading into the next few games.
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