NBA news: LeBron James’ absence looms large as LA Lakers fall against Golden State Warriors in opener
The Los Angeles Lakers opened their 2025/26 season on a disappointing note, falling 119-109 to the Golden State Warriors, reports Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo.
Missing from the court was LeBron James, who sat out due to a sciatica flare-up. The absence was historic, marking the first time in his 23-year career that he missed a season opener.
Coach JJ Redick admitted that playing without the team’s veteran leader was no easy task. “There were definitely moments where I wished LeBron was out there,” he said after the game.
The Lakers, now under the shared leadership of Redick and Luka Doncic, will have to navigate several weeks without their most experienced player, who is expected to remain sidelined until mid-November.
A promising start turned sour
The Lakers kept pace with Golden State through the first half, trailing by only a single point at the break.
However, their third-quarter struggles resurfaced in familiar fashion.
The Warriors opened the second half with an 18-4 run, exposing a recurring issue that dates back to last season.
“This trend of being a poor third-quarter team started last year,” Redick said, noting that the same problem carried into the preseason. “It’s something we need to address in how we prepare at halftime.”
While Doncic and Austin Reaves carried the offensive load, scoring 43 and 26 points respectively, support from the rest of the roster was thin.
Deandre Ayton managed just 10 points, and Doncic took responsibility for not involving him enough.
The Lakers’ lack of bench production was glaring as they were outscored 33-18 by Golden State’s reserves.
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LeBron’s quiet but powerful presence
Though LeBron appeared distant on the bench during the game, his influence emerged strongly the next day.
At a team video session on Wednesday, he was described by Redick as “really helpful” in breaking down the team’s defensive lapses.
“LeBron was asking questions, giving input, and creating back-and-forth conversation,” Redick said.
“That’s the kind of dialogue I want to see every time we do film study. It’s healthy for the team.”
James, dressed sharply in a suit and glasses as he continues to recover, helped the coaching staff highlight how the Lakers failed to track Golden State’s shooters, particularly Stephen Curry and Buddy Hield.
The Warriors punished those mistakes, shooting 8-for-19 from deep, while the Lakers managed only 8-for-32.
Redick acknowledged the defensive breakdowns, saying, “We did a poor job locating shooters in transition. That was a major priority going into the game, and we have to clean it up.”
Finding lessons in defeat
Despite the loss, there was a sense of optimism during the film review. Several players said the mistakes were fixable and the game could have gone differently with a few adjustments.
“I think there were some glaring things we can clean up, which is encouraging,” said guard Gabe Vincent. “You fix those, and it’s a different result.”
Forward Jarred Vanderbilt echoed the sentiment, noting that the errors were “controllable” and that the team simply needed to stay focused.
Redick added that the Lakers are still building their chemistry after offseason changes. “By the end of last season, we functioned really well as a unit. We just don’t have that yet. But I’m confident we’ll get there.”
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Doncic steps up amid early challenges
While the spotlight naturally falls on LeBron’s absence, Luka Doncic’s performance reminded fans why the franchise has reoriented around him.
The Slovenian star nearly notched a triple-double, scoring 43 points with 12 rebounds and nine assists. However, there was brief concern when he appeared to tweak his groin late in the fourth quarter.
Redick later confirmed that Doncic was fine, saying, “He got some treatment and practised today. It doesn’t look like anything serious.”
With LeBron still recovering, Doncic’s health and leadership will be crucial for the Lakers’ early-season stability.
The team will need him at full strength when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves, the same squad that eliminated them from last season’s playoffs.
A team searching for balance
The Lakers’ opener exposed both growing pains and potential.
Turnovers, missed free throws, and poor transition defence proved costly, yet the presence of LeBron in a mentoring role offered a glimpse of how the team might evolve.
The challenge now is clear: the Lakers must find consistency and cohesion without their captain on the floor. As Redick put it, “We’re not there yet, but we will be.”
