LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers opened the 2025-26 NBA season on Oct. 21 at Crypto.com Arena and fell 119-109 to the Golden State Warriors despite a dominant debut from Luka Doncic.
Doncic scored the first basket of the game and finished with 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, but his effort could not offset Golden State’s balanced attack. The defeat marked the Lakers’ ninth loss in their last 10 season openers.
LeBron James sidelined
LeBron James missed Opening Night for the first time in his 23-year career because of right-side sciatica. The veteran’s absence left Los Angeles without its longtime star in a matchup that still featured Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Austin Reaves and Doncic.
First-half swings
Golden State started small, prompting the Lakers to feed Deandre Ayton for a pair of early inside buckets. Turnovers allowed the Warriors to build an eight-point cushion, but a late first-quarter surge led by Reaves and three free throws from Butler gave Los Angeles a 28-22 edge after one.
The second period turned physical when Draymond Green and Jarred Vanderbilt exchanged pushes, resulting in a technical on Vanderbilt. Moments later, Marcus Smart committed a Flagrant 1 after tangling with Curry. Curry’s deep three pushed the Warriors ahead by double digits, yet Doncic’s scoring burst and consecutive triples from Rui Hachimura narrowed the gap to 55-54 at halftime.
Warriors seize control
Golden State opened the third quarter on an 18-4 run and outscored Los Angeles 35-25 in the frame, entering the fourth with a 90-79 lead. The Warriors, who shot efficiently from long range, maintained momentum while the Lakers struggled to generate stops.
Late push falls short
With Curry resting, Butler exploited the smaller Lakers lineup and Buddy Hield added timely perimeter shooting. Back-to-back baskets from Ayton and Reaves cut the deficit to six with four minutes remaining, but Green answered with a corner three out of a timeout, and the Lakers never threatened again.
Up next
Los Angeles continues its homestand Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the club that eliminated the Lakers in the first round of last season’s playoffs.
Source: Lakers Nation
