Warriors Defeat Lakers 119-109 in Season Opener

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 119-109 in their season opener on Tuesday night, showcasing a strong performance despite Luka Dončić’s 43 points for the Lakers. Jimmy Butler led the Warriors with 31 points, including a perfect night at the free-throw line, hitting all 16 attempts.

Dončić’s effort included 12 rebounds and nine assists, but it wasn’t enough as the Lakers struggled without LeBron James, who is sidelined with sciatica. This marked the first time in James’ 23-year career that he missed a season opener.

The Warriors began the second half explosively, outscoring the Lakers 19-4 and building a 17-point lead. Although the Lakers closed the gap to 105-99 in the fourth quarter, the Warriors held them off to secure the win. Stephen Curry, starting his 17th NBA season, contributed 23 points, including a crucial three-pointer in the final minute.

Other standout performances included Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield, who each scored 17 points and played key roles in the Warriors’ second-half surge. For the Lakers, Austin Reaves added 26 points, but the team’s performance overall was hampered by poor shooting, notably from beyond the arc, where they finished 8-for-32.

The Warriors will host the Denver Nuggets in their home opener on Thursday, while the Lakers are set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.