Video Courtesy: NBA

FSM Recap: Lakers vs Warriors – Game 1 – 2026

www.FranchiseSportsMedia.com

Los Angeles Lakers (0-1) | Golden State Warriors (1-0)

On Tuesday, the Lakers started their season 0-1, losing 119-109 to the Warriors after a costly third quarter in which they surrendered 35 points and fell behind by 11 heading into the final quarter.

Game Summary

FSM Recap: Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors - Game 1 - 2025 | Franchise Sports Media — Photo Credit: Ethan Swope / AP

The Los Angeles Lakers started their season 0-1, losing 119-109 to the Golden State Warriors after a costly third quarter in which they surrendered 35 points and fell behind by 11 heading into the final quarter.

“The trend I see is that we continue to be a terrible third-quarter team to start. That was last year, that was the preseason,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said on their third-quarter struggles. “Gotta rethink some things, and it’s a two-way thing with the guys. What do they need at halftime to make sure they’re ready to play? They’re not ready to play to start the third quarter.”

Many of the concerns from their 1-5 preseason translated to this one. Their defense collapsed for the majority of the second half. They missed too many 3-pointers (8-of-32, 25%), free throws (17-of-28, 60.7%), and they turned the ball over too many times (20 turnovers, 23 points for GSW).

The bright spot in the loss was Luka Doncic, who finished the contest with 43 points (17-of-27 FGs, 2-for-10 3s, 7-of-10 FTs), 12 rebounds, nine assists, and two steals. His 43 points rank 3rd-most all-time in a season opener by a Laker, and the most since Kobe Bryant (45 points) on October 30th, 2007 vs. the Houston Rockets. It also marks Doncic‘s career high in a season opener, and it’s his fourth 40-point double-double as a Laker and the 36th of his career.

Austin Reaves was the co-star, putting up 26 points (9-of-16 FGs, 1-for-5 3s, 7-of-10 FTs), five rebounds, nine assists, and two steals. Yet, he did turn the ball over five times.

“That’s on us players, that’s not on the coaches. They come in here and give us the answers to the test, and we just didn’t come out and execute,” Reaves said on their third-quarter struggles. “Last couple of years for sure, but I think ever since I’ve been here, we’ve had a problem with the third quarter. So, just got to figure out a way to come out with a little more energy.”

DeAndre Ayton, in his Lakers debut, posted just 10 points (5-of-7 FGs, 0-of-2 FTs), six rebounds, and four turnovers. In Marcus Smart’s debut, he scored nine points (3-of-6 FGs, 0-for-3 3s, 3-of-4 FTs). It was also Jake LaRavia’s debut, and he had five points (2-of-4 FGs, 0-of-2 FTs) and three rebounds.

LeBron James missed a season opener for the first time in his 23 years in the NBA. The top scorer in league history has sciatica that is expected to sideline him until mid-November. “I think DA and Marcus [Smart] have done a really nice job. Gabe [Vincent], I know Luka and AR are being more vocal as well,” Redick said on who is stepping up defensively on the floor with James out. “But I would say right now, it’s DA, Marcus, and Gabe.”

Golden State Warriors Game Notes:

However, nobody stepped up to guard Jimmy Butler III, who led Golden State to victory with 31 points (7-of-14 FGs, 16-of-16 FTs), five rebounds, and four assists. Stephen Curry poured in 23 points (6-of-14 FGs, 3-for-9 3s, 8-of-8 FTs), four assists, and three steals. Jonathan Kuminga had 17 points (6-of-11 FGs, 4-for-6 3s), nine rebounds, and six assists. Buddy Hield added 17 points (5-for-10 3s) off the bench.

Lakers vs Warriors Game Recap:

Draymond Green was already in mid-season form, nabbing a technical foul just seven minutes into the contest. Los Angeles got within two with 3.2 seconds left of the first quarter, before Butler drew a 3-point shooting foul and hit his 5th, 6th, and 7th free throws of the period to put the Warriors up 28-22.

The Lakers challenged the play, thinking Butler kicked out his leg on Smart, but officials upheld their call. A sloppy opening quarter for Los Angeles. They had twice as many turnovers (8) as assists (4) and shot 1-for-9 from 3 with eight turnovers. They struggled against the Warriors’ speed and zone.

Halfway through the second quarter, no Laker had taken more than two shots outside of Doncic and Reaves. The Lakers were just 2-for-14 from 3, and 12-of-27 overall as they trailed 37-33 with 6:41 to play in the second.

At halftime, Golden State led 55-54. Los Angeles closed the half on a 12-6 run to finally gain some momentum. Doncic and Reaves combined for 34 points. However, the Warriors stole that built-up energy from the Lakers, as they opened the second half on a 16-4 run. They now led 71-58 with 8:45 left in the third quarter. The Lakers‘ defense came apart at the seams.

They got slashed by Golden State’s passing, penetration, and cutting. At the end of three quarters, the Warriors led 90-79. Hield and Kuminga were a combined 2-for-5 in the first half from 3. They combined for seven second-half makes to go 9-for-15 as a duo in the game to help Golden State open up a 100-84 lead with 7:50 left. The Lakers showed some signs of life with a 13-3 run over the next 2:40, and they were only down just six points, 105-99, with 3:59 left. Yet, they could not get over the hump.