Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers

The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers are set to meet on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The preseason clash will tip off at 6:30 p.m. local time, as both teams continue tuning up for the start of the regular NBA campaign. Even though the matchup lacks the regular-season stakes, it carries plenty of intrigue for both franchises, with coaches looking to evaluate depth and chemistry after a summer of roster adjustments and strategic experimentation.

Golden State arrives in Los Angeles Lakers missing several key players. Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Al Horford are being rested as part of Steve Kerr’s preseason rotation management. Guard Moses Moody is unavailable with a calf issue that is still being evaluated, while De’Anthony Melton remains sidelined as he recovers from an ACL injury. With those absences, Kerr is expected to start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green, and Quinten Post. For the Lakers, LeBron James is out with a sciatica problem and is expected to miss several weeks. Maxi Kleber and Adou Thiero are also sidelined due to muscle and knee issues, respectively, while Marcus Smart returns from minor soreness and Austin Reaves is cleared to play. Luka Dončić is listed as questionable after limited participation in practice.

Coaching strategies for this matchup are expected to focus on development rather than results. Steve Kerr will use the opportunity to test rotations and see how younger players perform without the support of the veteran core. His goal is to find combinations that can sustain energy and defensive consistency in the long run. On the other bench, JJ Redick, still in the early stages of his first season as head coach, is emphasizing tempo, spacing, and player connectivity. With LeBron sidelined, Redick is expected to give Reaves and Smart more ball-handling responsibility while continuing to explore how Dončić fits as the main offensive initiator when available.

Press coverage leading up to the game has framed it as an intriguing look at each team’s supporting cast. Without Curry and LeBron, the spotlight turns toward players like Kuminga, Podziemski, and Reaves, who all have a chance to prove their readiness for expanded roles. Media analysts have described this matchup as a “preview of roster depth,” suggesting that the game could provide insights into how both teams manage injuries and fatigue during the regular season. The focus is less on the final score and more on individual performances, bench contributions, and how each side handles adversity without its primary stars.

Studio analysts in pregame discussions have emphasized two main narratives: depth and adaptability. Commentators expect both teams to rely heavily on their role players, with Golden State experimenting defensively while the Lakers work on integrating their newer pieces under Redick’s system. Analysts have also highlighted Podziemski’s leadership in running the Warriors’ offense and Reaves’ ability to create scoring opportunities in LeBron’s absence. The consensus among experts is that this game will be an important early test of roster balance and coaching flexibility—one that may reveal which team is better prepared to handle the long grind of the upcoming season.