Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers

The opening night clash of the 2025-26 NBA season between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers is set for Tuesday, October 21, 2025. The game will be played at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, marking one of the most anticipated season openers on the NBA calendar. It will tip off in the evening as part of the league’s Opening Night doubleheader. Fans around the world will be able to watch it live on NBC and Peacock in the United States, with international coverage available through NBA League Pass.

Injuries are already playing a major role in shaping both lineups. The Lakers will be without LeBron James, who remains sidelined with sciatica and is expected to miss several weeks. Maxi Kleber and Adou Thiero are also unavailable due to abdominal and knee issues respectively. Without LeBron, head coach JJ Redick is expected to start Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Gabe Vincent in the backcourt, leaning heavily on Dončić’s playmaking and scoring. On the Warriors’ side, Moses Moody and De’Anthony Melton are ruled out, while Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga are listed as probable and likely to play through minor ankle injuries. Their absences could affect the team’s perimeter defense depth and rotations early in the game.

From a tactical standpoint, Steve Kerr plans to open the season using a smaller, faster lineup that emphasizes ball movement, spacing, and switchable defense. Kuminga is expected to start alongside Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and rookie Brandin Podziemski, while veteran center Al Horford will be used more sparingly. Kerr’s goal is to keep the team fresh and maximize versatility against the Lakers’ size. For JJ Redick and the Lakers, the strategy will focus on Dončić’s control of the offense, with Reaves and Vincent stretching the floor and Deandre Ayton anchoring the interior. Defensively, the Lakers plan to switch aggressively and use Marcus Smart’s energy to disrupt Golden State’s rhythm.

In the press, much of the pre-game discussion revolves around how both teams will adapt to new circumstances. The absence of LeBron James has drawn significant attention, with many questioning how quickly Dončić can assume full leadership in Los Angeles. Media coverage also points to the Warriors’ preseason struggles with turnovers as a lingering concern, while praising their strong chemistry and renewed defensive focus. There is a sense of curiosity surrounding how Butler fits into Kerr’s system and whether Golden State can find the right balance between its veteran core and emerging youth.

Studio analysts before the game have described this matchup as a symbolic reset for two storied franchises. For Golden State, the question is whether the aging stars can still compete at a championship level while bringing new players into the fold. For Los Angeles, analysts are watching closely to see if the Dončić-led Lakers can maintain offensive consistency and defensive toughness without LeBron. The consensus among experts is that this game will not only set the tone for both teams’ seasons but may also hint at how the Western Conference power dynamics could evolve in 2025–26.