SAN FRANCISCO — After all the exciting NBA Finals battles of the past decade, Stephen Curry and LeBron James can still put on a great show in their 30s.
An opening night between the two greats showed why Curry’s team is in the lead right now.
Despite a slow start, Curry started the season with 33 points, seven assists and six rebounds as Golden State beat James and the Los Angeles Lakers 123-109 on Tuesday night after earning a championship ring in a pregame ceremony. team.
“I’m excited about the win,” coach Steve Kerr said. “Ring night is never an easy match, the first game of the season is usually filled with some nerves early on.”
Jordan Poole threw a nice bouncing pass to driving Draymond Green for a layup, defending champions nearly two weeks after Green played Poole at practice in October Everything seems to be fine. 5. Then take a short sabbatical from the team to process his emotions. Poole finished with 12 points and seven assists.
“We went there and tonight we have work to do to win a game,” Poole said when asked if there was a recovery between him and Green. “It was a fantastic night and that’s what we really focused on finishing the first game. It was a huge win against a very good team.”
James had 31 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, while Russell Westbrook had 19 points and 11 rebounds after a sore left hamstring. Anthony Davis scored 27 points, but the Lakers couldn’t keep up with another signature, NBA Finals MVP Curry and company out of control in the third quarter.
“The third quarter is where they’ve been great, when they’ve transformed into a strong team,” James said. “You always have to be ready for the third quarter, and tonight we didn’t.”
Curry missed his first five 3-pointers, going 10 of 22 and 4 of 13.
Klay Thompson had 18 points in 20 minutes for the Warriors, who celebrated their fourth championship in eight years.
“It’s really fun to be involved, it’s really fun to watch,” Poole said. “…These guys are playing at their highest level over and over.”
Kerr limited minutes for Thompson and Green, who didn’t leave the team until last Thursday. Kerr said Thompson, who has missed more than 2 1/2 years due to left knee and right Achilles surgery, will increase his minutes per game as a precaution when he returns in January.
Warriors center James Wiseman missed the entire season last season after recovering from right knee surgery, making his first appearance since his rookie season in 2019-20. He had 8 points and 7 rebounds.
The Lakers’ 22 turnovers gave the Warriors 27 points.
“Whether you’re shooting or shooting, you’re going to turn the ball over, and you’ve got to have a short memory no matter what, and immediately start the next game,” Los Angeles first-year coach Darwin Hamm said. “It has to be something in our structure, not just against Golden State, but against the entire league.”
Saginaw pride
Ham is excited to represent Saginaw, Michigan on his coaching debut — and is proud to be Green’s home too.
“I’m excited for Saginaw, Michigan to see a kid who represents the city well and happens to play some really good basketball and has been at a high level throughout Draymond Green’s career ,” Ham said. “Now they can meet another kid who is the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s been a great night for Saginaw.”
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Lakers: F Juan Toscano-Anderson received his championship ring from his old club, the first player to receive shiny jewelry. …Patrick Beverley was fouled with 5:46 left in the first half, scoring 3 points on 1-for-5 shooting. … C Thomas Bryant underwent surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb and is scheduled to undergo a re-evaluation by team physicians in approximately three weeks. “He came in and it bothered him. The way he played you know setting up screens, diving on the floor, rumble tumbling type big, really providing physicality, that can happen anywhere,” Hamm said. “He was rehabilitated again today, so we look forward to a speedy recovery with him.”
Warriors: The Warriors won three straight at home against the Warriors. Lakers. …The Golden State Warriors lead 6-1 in their post-championship season home opener. … F Andre Iguodala was inactive in the opener as the Warriors monitor his nagging left hip and manage the 38-year-old forward’s minutes at the start of his 19th season.
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Lakers: Host the Clippers on Thursday.
Warriors: After the Nuggets lost to the Warriors in the preseason last Friday, they will host Denver on Friday night in a rematch of the first round of this year’s playoffs.
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