Warriors Beat Lakers 119-109; Smart Flops Draw Fire

The Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 119-109 in the 2025–26 season opener. Stephen Curry delivered key moments as the Warriors used a small-ball starting lineup, with Jonathan Kuminga starting at power forward, and broke the game open in the third quarter. Luka Dončić scored 43 and nearly recorded a triple-double for the Lakers, who lost while LeBron James sat out with sciatica and is not expected to return until mid-November. Los Angeles is expected to lean on Deandre Ayton and Austin Reaves during James’s absence. The game also drew controversy after Lakers guard Marcus Smart was criticized for theatrical flops, prompting a public jab from Draymond Green.