By Harshit | October 22, 2025 | Los Angeles, CA | 5:30 AM EDT
Dončić Dominates, But Lakers Struggle Without James
LOS ANGELES — With LeBron James sidelined by a sciatica issue, the Los Angeles Lakers were unable to muster enough offense to topple the Golden State Warriors on NBA opening night. Despite a near triple-double from Luka Dončić, the Lakers dropped the season opener, 119-109, at Crypto.com Arena.
Dončić delivered 43 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists, while Austin Reaves added 26 points and DeAndre Ayton chipped in 10 points. No other Laker reached double figures, highlighting the team’s ongoing reliance on Dončić.
The Lakers shot just 25% from three-point range (8-of-32) and committed 20 turnovers, allowing the Warriors to capitalize on fast-break opportunities and timely perimeter shooting.
Warriors Role Players Step Up
Golden State’s supporting cast led the way in the absence of a dominant scorer like Steph Curry alone. Jimmy Butler scored 31 points, while Curry added 23, and Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield contributed 17 points each. The Warriors made 42.5% of their three-point attempts (17-of-40), including clutch baskets that thwarted the Lakers’ late surge.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Lakers cut a double-digit deficit to six with a 15-5 run, but the Warriors responded with critical shots down the stretch, cementing the victory.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: LeBron James watched from the sidelines as the Lakers fell behind 28-22, struggling from beyond the arc (1-of-9) and committing 9 turnovers. Dončić paced Los Angeles with 10 points and 5 rebounds.
Second Quarter: A tight period saw the Lakers briefly take the lead after a 19-10 run, fueled by Dončić and Reaves. Jimmy Butler’s late free throws gave Golden State a 55-54 halftime advantage.
Third Quarter: Golden State exploded out of the locker room with a 16-4 run, building a 71-58 lead and extending it to 17 points. Dončić scored 13 points in the quarter, but no other Lakers provided sustained support.
Fourth Quarter: Los Angeles mounted a spirited comeback, trimming the lead to six points, but the Warriors closed out the game behind timely perimeter shooting and defensive stops.
On-Court Drama and Technical Fouls
The game featured a minor altercation when Draymond Green goaded Laker forward Jarred Vanderbilt into a shove, resulting in Vanderbilt’s first technical foul of the season. Butler converted the ensuing free throw, adding to the Warriors’ edge.
Meanwhile, the Lakers saw Rui Hachimura contribute late with two three-pointers, and DeAndre Ayton struggled to make a significant impact in his first season-opening performance with the team.
Looking Ahead
The Lakers now face the Minnesota Timberwolves at home on Friday, Oct. 24, while the Warriors will host the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, Oct. 23. With LeBron James expected to miss at least another week-and-a-half, Los Angeles will need increased production from role players like Hachimura, Ayton, and Vanderbilt to remain competitive in the Western Conference.
Luka Dončić’s dominance provides a foundation, but the Lakers’ season may hinge on how quickly the supporting cast steps up in James’ absence.
Fans and Atmosphere
The crowd was treated to appearances by Vanessa and Natalia Bryant, who were shown on the jumbotron before tipoff. Despite the loss, Lakers fans cheered Dončić’s heroic efforts and the team’s late-game surge, setting the tone for a season filled with high expectations and early challenges.