In a compelling season opener for the Golden State Warriors, veteran forward Jimmy Butler III delivered a strong performance, scoring 31 points to lead the Warriors to a 119-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. His standout showing came alongside contributions from teammates such as Stephen Curry, who added 23 points.
From the outset, the game featured a curious dynamic: the Lakers were playing without superstar LeBron James, who missed the opener due to sciatica—marking the first time in his 23-year career he has sat out opening night. That absence had a ripple effect on the team’s structure and strategy, allowing the Warriors to exploit mismatches and adjust early.
The contest itself unfolded in phases. At halftime, the Warriors held only a slim 55-54 lead. But the third quarter proved decisive. Golden State came out firing, rattling off an 18-4 run to open the half, and extended their lead to 73-58 in a matter of minutes. Jonathan Kuminga played a key part of this stretch, scoring 13 points in the third quarter alone.
While the Lakers did their best to respond—Luka Dončić had an impressive line of 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists—the supporting cast faltered in crucial moments. Los Angeles shot just 25 % from three-point range (8 of 32) and missed 11 of 28 free throws, which starkly contrasted with Golden State’s performance from the line: 26 of 29, with Butler himself going a perfect 16 of 16.
In the final quarter, the Lakers mounted a threat, pulling within six points at 105-99 with just under four minutes remaining. But the Warriors responded with poise: a corner three by Draymond Green followed by a reverse layup from Butler pushed the margin to double-digits and ultimately sealed the victory. Curry’s deep three with 51.2 seconds left served as the dagger.
There are several takeaways from this opener. First, Butler’s smooth assimilation into the Warriors’ system appears promising—not only did he lead scoring, but he was flawless at the free-throw line and made timely plays when his team needed them. Second, the Warriors’ depth—highlighted by contributions from Kuminga and Buddy Hield (who scored 17 points) —suggests the roster may have more balance than many anticipated. Third, the Lakers’ issues are already apparent: lack of bench scoring, poor outside shooting, and a weakened rotation without James. While Dončić’s individual brilliance kept them in the game, it wasn’t enough to compensate for the team-wide lapses.
For the Warriors, the win offers momentum and optimism: a solid opening statement on the road and perhaps a signal of what the team can become when Butler, Curry and the rest are firing on all cylinders. For the Lakers, it’s a reminder that even with top-tier talent, depth and execution matter—especially in a league where the margin for error is slim.
Looking ahead, the real test for Golden State will be whether they can sustain this level of performance, especially on the road and against stronger opposition. For Los Angeles, the challenge is clear: adapt quickly to playing without LeBron and find consistency from the rest of the roster. Their next games will tell whether this opener was a valuable wake-up call or a concerning warning.
