It is finally NBA opening day, and the new season kicks off with two California giants as Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors take on LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. The matchup comes in with a ton of hype as the Warriors come in with a veteran lineup while LeBron and Luka Doncic seek to improve from last season.
Los Angeles Lakers Possible Starting Lineup
- PG: Luka Doncic
- SG: Austin Rivers
- SF: Rui Hachimura
- PF: Jarred Vanderbilt
- C – Deandre Ayton
Golden State Warriors Possible Starting Lineup
- PG: Steph Curry
- SG: Buddy Hield
- SF: Jimmy Butler
- PF: Draymond Green
- C – Al Horford
Golden State Warriors vs LA Lakers Injury Report
LA Lakers Injured List
- LeBron James: Out, sciatica, possibly returning in November
- Adou Thiero: Out, knee injury
- Max Kiebler: Questionable, abdominal injury
Golden State Warriors Injured List
- Jimmy Butler: Questionable, ankle
- Jonathan Kuminga: Questionable: ankle
- Moses Moody: Out, calf
- Alex Toohey, Out, knee
- De’Anthony Melton, Out, knee
While Butler and Kuminga are listed as questionable for the game against the LA Lakers, the two are expected to play in the team’s season opener. The Warriors will be coming in more banged up than the Lakers, which will be without the still-injured LeBron James, who may be out until November.
The Lakers have a very deep roster of guards, with Marcus Smart, Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, Meanwhile, their forwards and centers are a beat banged up, especially with LeBron missing in action. As for the Warriors, they can rely on some good reserves like Will Richard, Gary Payton II and Jonathan Kuminga.
Golden State Warriors vs LA Lakers Prediction
It will be the LA Lakers holding the homecourt advantage against the Warriors in this one, as it will be played at the Crypto.com Arena, formerly known as the Staples Center. While the Golden State Warriors look more banged up on paper, with Butler and Kuminga possibly playing hurt, the team from the Bay Area is considered the -2.5 favorites in this contest.
The Lakers are without their biggest superstar, LeBron James, though Luka Doncic has shown that he could carry a team all by himself when he was still at Dallas. However, while hurt, this Warriors team is filled with wily veterans, including Steph Curry, who could light up the score board in an instant. This is why we are predicting that the Warriors would probably win this one, but it will be close.
Related:
‘It Always Comeback to Him’: Former NBA Star Throws Shade at LeBron James Over Cooper Flagg Remarks
‘Will Feed the Nation’: Lakers Fans React As Adou Thiero Joins Luca Doncic, LeBron James and Co.
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