Lakers vs Warriors: Curry, Butler Lift on NBA Opening Night

Lakers vs Warriors kicked off the 2025–26 NBA season with a thrilling opener at Crypto.com Arena — and it was Golden State that came out on top. Despite Luka Dončić’s sensational 43-point performance, the Warriors defeated the LeBron-less Los Angeles Lakers 119-109 thanks to clutch plays from Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler.

LeBron James missed his first opening night in 23 NBA seasons due to a sciatica injury, leaving Dončić to shoulder the offensive load. The Slovenian superstar nearly posted a triple-double with 12 rebounds and 9 assists while joining Kobe Bryant and Elgin Baylor as the only Lakers to score 40 or more in a season opener.

Jimmy Butler led the Warriors with 31 points, making all 16 of his free throws, while Stephen Curry added 23 points and sealed the win with a deep, contested three-pointer in the final minute. Jonathan Kuminga also chipped in with 17 points during a decisive third-quarter surge.

The Lakers trailed by just one at halftime but struggled after Golden State opened the second half with a 19-4 run. Austin Reaves added 26 points for Los Angeles, but the rest of the roster failed to offer consistent support, shooting just 8-for-32 from beyond the arc. Deandre Ayton scored 10 points in his Lakers debut, while Marcus Smart contributed nine.

Draymond Green and Buddy Hield provided valuable defensive and perimeter contributions for the Warriors, with Green hitting a clutch three-pointer late in the fourth to halt the Lakers’ comeback attempt.

Curry’s game-clinching shot symbolized Golden State’s trademark style — controlled chaos that combines poise and explosive scoring. “It’s just organized chaos,” Curry said postgame. “That’s Warrior basketball.”

The Warriors open their home schedule against the defending champion Denver Nuggets on Thursday, while the Lakers look to bounce back against the Phoenix Suns later this week.