Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors: The Warriors' collective stronger than Luka Doncic's 43 points

Behind 31 points from Jimmy Butler, 23 points from Stephen Curry and a hyperactive Draymond Green (eight points, nine assists, seven rebounds), the Golden State Warriors controlled the match despite Luka Doncic's 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists (119-109).

For this first match of the season for both teams, the Los Angeles Lakers and Warriors stars are present. Twelve points from Jimmy Butler, including 7/7 from the free-throw line, and 10 points from Luka Doncic set the tone. Turnovers and the Lakers' clumsiness, however, allowed Golden State to take control of operations (28-22).

Whilst Austin Reaves (26 points, nine assists) takes over from Doncic, the Warriors' defensive activity continued to frustrate Los Angeles. Stephen Curry, until now discreet, took advantage of a flagrant foul by Marcus Smart to enter his match. With a three-pointer, he put Golden State at +10 (45-35).

JJ Redick's men, however, bounced back. Doncic led a 16-5 run, finished by three three-pointers, including two for Rui Hachimura (nine points), to retake the advantage. It took Jimmy Butler's cunning to allow the Warriors to turn ahead at half time (55-54).

Lakers vs. Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga as X factor

Like in their golden era, the Warriors started the third quarter in style. Behind a defence still as uncompromising and 11 points from Jonathan Kuminga (17 points, nine rebounds, six assists), Golden State ran off a 23-7 burst against their opponents to take a 17-point lead (78-61). Despite a Doncic who has almost half of his team's points, the Lakers struggled. However, a three-pointer from Jake LaRavia, followed by a basket after an offensive rebound, allowed them to remain in ambush (90-79).

Despite his five fouls, Austin Reaves attempted to wake his teammates but Buddy Hield (17 points, 5/10 from three-point range) caught fire. He multipled three-pointers and Golden State retook a 16-point lead (100-84). The Lakers, however, did not admit defeat. Golden State chained three empty possessions and the Doncic-Reaves duo take advantage to launch a 9-0 run that revived the suspense (105-99).

Steve Kerr's band, however, finish the job. A three-pointer from Draymond Green, free throws from Jimmy Butler, and a three-pointer from ten metres by Curry confirmed Golden State's victory on the Lakers' court.

Lakers vs. Warriors: What to remember

– Golden State's collective at full throttle. 29 assists, 48% shooting success, and 42% from three-point range. The Warriors' movement and altruism caught the Lakers' defence off guard. With in addition an aggressive Jimmy Butler at 16/16 from the free-throw line, an accurate Buddy Hield off the bench and an interesting Will Richard for his first NBA match, Steve Kerr can be satisfied with this first outing.

– Luka Doncic as brilliant as he is isolated. 43 points at 65% shooting success, 12 rebounds, eight assists. In LeBron James's absence, the Slovenian was unstoppable tonight... but it was not enough. Unlike Doncic, the other Lakers went missing. DeAndre Ayton was transparent, the bench unconvincing, Rui Hachimura too discreet. Only Reaves found his range but too late, at the end of the match, to help the Lakers win. JJ Redick and his staff have their work cut out.

– Jonathan Kuminga shows himself. If he was not able to slow Doncic, Kuminga turned in a clean offensive performance. He finished the match with 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists, all whilst being over 50% shooting success, and 4/6 from three-point range. After a turbulent summer, he responded in the best way. Inserted into the starting five by Steve Kerr, the forward was right in the game instead of being against the current as often during previous seasons.

This article was originally published on Basket USA