Even without LeBron James, there will be plenty of star power on the court when the Golden State Warriors visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday for the second half of the NBA’s Opening Night doubleheader.
In prime focus will be the Warriors’ Stephen Curry, who begins his 17th NBA season, and the Lakers’ Luka Doncic, who heads into his first full season in Los Angeles after a trade from the Dallas Mavericks in February.
James’ record-breaking 23rd NBA season will be delayed up to a month as he recovers from sciatica on his right side. Doncic and budding star Austin Reaves will have to carry the load for the Lakers moving forward, while Gabe Vincent is expected to start Tuesday in place of James.
Set to make their Los Angeles debuts will be center Deandre Ayton, guard Marcus Smart and forward Jake LaRavia. Forward Maxi Kleber did not play in a regular-season game after also arriving from the Mavericks in February and is poised to make an impact.
“Honestly, I think we have a great team,” Doncic said. “We have what we need to compete for the championship. I’ll try to win every game no matter what, and we got some new great guys on the team. We’re going to go for it.”
The Lakers were the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs last spring, but they were eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves. That prevented a second-round matchup with the No. 7-seeded Warriors, who upset the second-seeded Houston Rockets.
The Timberwolves also eliminated the Warriors. Curry came away from the series-opening victory with a hamstring injury. He did not play again as Golden State proceeded to lose each of the next four games.
Healthy again and ready to lead the way at age 37, Curry will get plenty of help from more star power in Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.
But with Butler at age 36 and Green at 35, Golden State is dealing with an aging infrastructure, as it were. Butler missed the last three preseason games with an ankle injury while Moses Moody (calf) will not play Tuesday. Butler is expected to play in the opener.
“I’ve taken advantage of the offseason and we’ve had a really good (training) camp overall,” Curry said. “… As long as we come Tuesday with as many guys ready to go as possible, hopefully we get off to a good start. I feel good and I think we’re excited.”
Jonathan Kuminga, 23, and Brandin Podziemski, 22, give Golden State much-needed fresh legs, but both missed time with injuries last season. Kuminga missed the preseason finale with his own ankle injury and Podziemski came away with a left hip contusion in the game.
More experience was added in 39-year-old big man Al Horford, with the Warriors hoping to tap into his wisdom and playoff familiarity. For now, the plan is to limit Horford to 20 minutes per game and avoid back-to-backs.
A primary concern for the Warriors is with turnovers after committing at least 20 in each preseason game.
“We definitely had a turnover problem throughout the preseason, but I’m confident that when the lights go on Tuesday, our guys will be locked in,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.
