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Warriors Spoil Dončić’s 43-Point Showcase as Lakers Drop Opener 119–109

With LeBron James out due to sciatica, Los Angeles’ turnovers, cold shooting and a familiar third-quarter slide undercut Luka Dončić’s brilliance and left his groin twinge to be checked.

Overview

  • Golden State won 119–109, led by Jimmy Butler’s 31 points on 16-for-16 free throws, Stephen Curry’s late 35-footer and Jonathan Kuminga’s surprise start with 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
  • Luka Dončić posted 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, becoming the first player to open a season with a 40-point double-double and lose by double digits, per OptaSTATS.
  • Dončić said a late-game groin issue was “probably nothing” after postgame treatment, with further assessment pending.
  • LeBron James did not play and is expected to miss multiple weeks with sciatica, increasing the workload on Dončić in the near term.
  • The Lakers committed 19 turnovers and shot 17-for-28 at the line and 8-for-31 from three, and coach J.J. Redick lamented recurring third-quarter problems, calling the team “a terrible third-quarter team.”