**LOS ANGELES** — One of the NBA’s greatest modern rivalries will be missing a major variable in its Hall of Fame equation when the Warriors visit the Lakers for the season opener on Tuesday.

Stephen Curry, as he has for 17 consecutive seasons, will lead the Warriors against the NBA’s glitziest franchise. However, LeBron James, who famously battled Golden State in four consecutive NBA Finals during the 2010s and orchestrated a historic comeback from down 3-1 in the 2016 Finals, will not share the floor with his longtime nemesis.

The 40-year-old James is currently battling sciatica, and the nerve pain is expected to keep him out beyond the season opener. As a result, the Warriors will adjust their approach when they face the Lakers in Los Angeles.

“You don’t have to go through your ‘LeBron rules,’ which are the things he does that are basically unguardable,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said on Monday.

But Los Angeles is far from lacking talent. Luka Doncic will assume the mantle of franchise player, entering the season at the peak of his powers. The Warriors are already familiar with the 26-year-old Slovenian star. In 2022, Doncic averaged 32 points per game for the Dallas Mavericks against Kerr’s eventual champion Warriors in the conference finals. That five-game series included consecutive 40-point performances against a Golden State defense tailored to stop the versatile maestro.

Doncic’s one weakness—even during his peak Dallas days—was his inconsistent fitness and, by extension, his mediocre to nonexistent defensive effort. However, if the preseason media buzz is to be believed, that may no longer be the case for a slimmed-down Doncic.

“He looks like he’s in good shape, but he’s still the same player he’s been since the moment he stepped on the court years ago,” Kerr said. “Unstoppable force with his pace and strength, the way he shoots the ball behind his head with the step-backs—you can’t get there to challenge the shot.”

The Warriors will have several defensive options to throw at the MVP candidate, even with top perimeter stopper Moses Moody ruled out due to a calf injury. Draymond Green, who traditionally defends LeBron James, should be able to slide over to cover Doncic at times. Jimmy Butler is one of the game’s premier wing defenders, and Jonathan Kuminga’s athleticism could also impact Doncic’s effectiveness.

Newcomer Al Horford, who may be nearing 40, is regarded as one of the smartest big-man defenders in the game. He can be relied upon to navigate through traffic as Doncic runs his signature pick-and-rolls.

“I think of myself as a pretty smart basketball player, and Al is smart as hell,” Draymond Green said in a recent press conference. “Al is an easy basketball player to play with.”

Rookie Gui Santos, who may also see time defending Doncic, emphasized that slowing the superstar is a team effort.

“Every time you defend him, you have to have a team defense and people behind you helping you,” Santos explained. “Draymond’s going to be there to help, Jimmy, all these guys are going to be on him too.”

Though it’s just the first 48 minutes of an 82-game regular season, a win against the Lakers could signal how the Warriors will stack up in a loaded Western Conference.

The Rockets, with their super-sized lineup featuring Kevin Durant at shooting guard, are expected to contend. San Antonio has built a potential juggernaut around a healthy Victor Wembanyama, and cross-state rival Dallas has added Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving alongside top draft pick Cooper Flagg.

Denver has reloaded with depth and remains led by Nikola Jokic, while the Clippers have championship aspirations after retooling with veterans Bradley Beal and Chris Paul. Oklahoma City enters the season as the defending champion, returning its entire core of young stars.

And now, you can add the Doncic-led Lakers to the mix.

Any team with LeBron James is always a title threat, even as he nears the end of a career that has cemented him as one of the greatest of all time. But even without those stakes, playing the Lakers on opening night remains an event all to itself.

“Everybody loves playing in LA. It’s obviously a historic franchise, it’s a great city, and there’s a vibe in the building because of who is there and all the banners hanging up there,” Kerr, a Southern California native who still roots for the Dodgers, said. “Playing the Lakers will always be special.”

**Other Notes:**
*Further updates and insights about the Warriors’ season strategies and player availability will be provided as the regular season progresses.*
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/20/warriors-lakers-luka-doncic-lebron-james-steph-curry-nba-opener/