The Golden State Warriors spoiled the Los Angeles Lakers’ home opener with a 119-109 victory on October 21, 2025, overcoming a stellar 43-point performance from Luka Doncic in a game marked by LeBron James’ absence due to injury. Jimmy Butler led the Warriors with 31 points, while Stephen Curry added 23, as Golden State used a dominant third-quarter surge to secure the win in both teams’ season opener.
The highly anticipated matchup at Crypto.com Arena drew a crowd of 18,997 fans, but the Lakers faced an early setback with LeBron James sidelined by sciatica, missing his first season opener in 23 NBA seasons. James watched from the bench, expected to return by mid-November, leaving Doncic to shoulder the offensive load for Los Angeles. Despite his efforts, the Lakers struggled to find consistency outside of their star guard, losing their season opener for the ninth time in ten years.
Doncic delivered an electrifying performance, scoring 40-plus points for the 47th time in his career and the third since joining the Lakers, while adding 12 rebounds and nine assists. However, he shot just 2-of-10 from three-point range, highlighting the Lakers’ offensive imbalances. Austin Reaves contributed 26 points, with 13 coming in the fourth quarter, but foul trouble limited his impact early in the game, and the team failed to capitalize on key moments.
The Warriors seized control with a explosive 19-4 run to open the second half, extending their lead to 17 points at one stage. Jonathan Kuminga was instrumental in this surge, scoring 17 points on efficient shooting, while Draymond Green provided veteran leadership despite an early technical foul. Green’s three-pointer with 3:33 left in the game halted a Lakers rally that had cut the deficit to 105-99, underscoring Golden State’s ability to respond under pressure.
Butler’s flawless free-throw shooting—16-for-16—and Curry’s clutch three-pointer in the final minute sealed the victory for the Warriors, who shot 49% from the field and 43% from beyond the arc as a team. New additions like Al Horford, who hit a three-pointer in his Warriors debut, and Deandre Ayton, who had 10 points in his first game with the Lakers, added depth but couldn’t shift the momentum decisively.
Looking ahead, the Warriors will host the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, aiming to build on this strong start, while the Lakers face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday as they seek to rebound without James. The game sets the tone for both teams in the competitive Pacific Division, with Golden State demonstrating its championship aspirations and the Lakers navigating early-season challenges.