The Golden State Warriors began their 2025-2026 campaign on a high note, securing a 119-109 road victory against the Los Angeles Lakers in a captivating season opener at the Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday. A dominant third-quarter performance proved to be the deciding factor for the Warriors, who successfully weathered a spectacular 43-point effort from Lakers’ superstar Luka Dončić.
The game, played in front of a sellout crowd of 18,997, was a back-and-forth affair in the first half. The Warriors edged out the first quarter 28-22, but the Lakers responded with a strong second period, outscoring the visitors 32-27 to make it a one-point game at halftime, with Golden State clinging to a 55-54 lead. Jimmy Butler III was instrumental for the Warriors early on, while Dončić kept the Lakers very much in the contest.
However, the complexion of the game changed dramatically after the break. The Warriors came out firing in the third quarter, mounting a decisive 35-25 run that created the separation they needed. Golden State’s offense clicked, and their defense tightened, stretching the lead to as many as 17 points. This period proved to be the turning point, as the Lakers struggled to find a rhythm and were unable to close the gap. Despite a late push in the final quarter where the Lakers outscored the Warriors 30-29, the damage had been done, and Golden State held on for the well-deserved win.
Jimmy Butler III led a balanced Warriors attack with an impressive 31 points, bolstered by a perfect 16-for-16 performance from the free-throw line. Stephen Curry delivered a solid 23 points, and Jonathan Kuminga added 17 points and 9 rebounds. Draymond Green was a force on both ends of the court, contributing 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists while anchoring the defense. The Warriors’ bench also made key contributions, with Buddy Hield scoring 17 points, including five three-pointers.
On the other side, Luka Dončić was a one-man wrecking crew for the Lakers. He finished with a game-high 43 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists, nearly recording a triple-double in a masterful individual performance. Austin Reaves was the only other Laker to find consistent scoring, finishing with 26 points. While the Lakers dominated scoring in the paint with 62 points to the Warriors’ 36, their struggles from beyond the arc were evident. As a team, Los Angeles shot a mere 25% from three-point range and a costly 60.7% from the free-throw line, which ultimately hampered their comeback efforts.
Tactically, the Warriors’ ability to connect from deep, shooting 42.5% on three-pointers, was a significant factor in their victory. Their efficiency from the free-throw line at 89.7% also highlighted their offensive execution. While both teams were nearly even in turnovers, the Warriors seemed to make more of their opportunities, setting the tone for a promising start to their season. The Lakers, despite the loss, can take solace in Dončić’s MVP-caliber performance as they look to regroup for their next contest.
