Steady Butler, Sharpened Kuminga Propel Warriors Past Lakers in Season Opener
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LOS ANGELES — Jimmy Butler knocked down all 16 of his free throws on the way to 31 points, steering the Golden State Warriors to a 119-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night to begin his 15th NBA season.
The veteran swingman, who had missed the final three preseason games with a sprained ankle, erupted for 12 points in nine first-quarter minutes and sat at the heart of a game-long free-throw clinic. His 16 makes without a miss marked the franchise’s best single-game showing at the stripe since Rick Barry in 1975. The Warriors outscored Los Angeles by 20 in Butler’s 35 minutes and were minus-10 while he rested.
“He provides that stability, that ability to get fouled, go to the line and settle the game down,” head coach Steve Kerr said after the win at Crypto.com Arena. Before Butler’s arrival via trade in February, Golden State had attempted the fewest free throws in the league; after the deal, it posted the NBA’s highest free-throw rate.
The bet within the game
Postgame, Butler disclosed a locker-room wager with Draymond Green: he intends to finish the season with a higher free-throw percentage than Stephen Curry, whose career 91.1% ranks No. 1 all time. Curry, informed of the bet during his media session, laughed: “No chance … but game on.”
Curry delivered 23 points, including a 35-foot dagger with 51 seconds remaining, and converted all eight of his free throws to keep pace with Butler’s perfect opening night.
Kuminga seizes starting chance
The night also showcased Jonathan Kuminga, named starting power forward after an offseason contract standoff. The 23-year-old shook off early miscues to post 13 of his 18 points in the third quarter, finishing with four three-pointers, nine rebounds and six assists.
Green praised Kuminga’s late offensive board that sealed the outcome: “When you ask for opportunity, you must deliver, and he delivered.” Kerr credited Butler’s mentorship for the forward’s poise, noting repeated in-practice conversations between the two.
Butler heads into Game 2 with a career 84.3% mark at the stripe, which climbed to 87% in 30 games with Golden State last season. Whether that is enough to dethrone Curry remains to be seen, but for one night, the Warriors left Los Angeles with both the win and a perfect start to an unusual team competition.
Source: ESPN
