The Golden State Warriors will visit the Los Angeles Lakers on the NBA’s opening night on Tuesday. Both of these teams are hoping that their veteran stars can lead them to a deep playoff run this season. Which team will start their year off on the right foot? Before this all-California matchup tips off, continue reading to get my Warriors vs Lakers prediction.
Our Warriors vs Lakers Pick
- Pick: Golden State Warriors -2
- Confidence: ★★★☆☆
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Lakers
- Date & Time: Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 10:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- Broadcast: NBC / Peacock
Key Storylines
The Warriors begin the season with a clear objective of maximizing the value of their veteran core while remaining healthy and sharp. Stephen Curry averaged 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists in the 2024‑25 season. He shot 44.8% from the field and 39.7% from three‑point range. Despite being 37 years old, his conditioning and shooting remain elite. The Warriors also added veteran Al Horford to help out in the frontcourt and help the Warriors spread the floor with all five positions if they want to.
The Lakers will start this season without LeBron James on the floor. James is unavailable to open the season due to sciatica. That absence puts the offensive burden squarely on Luka Dončić. Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.7 assists in the 2024‑25 season. The question is whether the supporting cast like Deandre Ayton, Austin Reaves, and others can step up defensively and with their secondary scoring.
Moses Moody is listed as doubtful for the Warriors with a calf strain and De’Anthony Melton is out. Both of those players missing this game would put a ton of pressure on Curry, Buddy Hield, and Brandin Podziemski to do all of the heavy lifting in the backcourt without much time to catch their breath.
Head‑to‑Head & Betting Trends
- This is the first meeting between these teams this season.
- Golden State went 24-17 away from home last season.
- The Lakers went 31-10 at home during the 2024-25 season.
Best Player Props to Watch
| Player | Prop |
|---|---|
| Stephen Curry | Over 25.5 points |
| Luka Dončić | Over 30.5 points |
| Austin Reaves | Over 21.5 points |
Warriors vs Lakers Model Projection
Score Projection: Golden State Warriors 110 – Los Angeles Lakers 106
Win Probability: Golden State Warriors 57%, Los Angeles Lakers 43%
Final Thoughts
The absence of LeBron James makes things so much harder on the Lakers on the offensive end of the floor. Golden State will be able to dedicate even more attention to Doncic without James’ ability to penetrate. The Warriors will be better in terms of their ball movement than the Lakers, thanks to all of the dribbling that Doncic does. We should see the Warriors open their season with a win on the road against a Lakers team that is without LeBron for at least a month.
