Warriors face Luka Doncic test in Los Angeles at season’s end – Basketball Insider
Warriors prepare for opening night test
The Golden State Warriors will open the 2025-26 NBA season on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers in a highly anticipated showdown at Crypto.com Arena.
Although LeBron James will miss the game, Los Angeles remains a major threat thanks to Luka Doncic, the cornerstone of their new franchise they acquired at last season’s trade deadline. His arrival reshaped the Lakers’ image and raised expectations for the new year.
Kerr praises Doncic’s dominance
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was asked about the challenge of facing Doncic, who has drawn attention for his offseason turnaround and strong performance against Slovenia in 2025 EuroBasket. Cole made no secret of his praise.
“He looks in good shape, but he’s still the same player,” Kerr said. “He’s been the same player since the moment he stepped on the court a few years ago. His speed, his strength, the way he shoots behind his head and steps back, is unstoppable. You can’t get out there and challenge that shot. He’s a constant lob threat to centers. A pick-and-roll threat. He’s getting better and better as a shooter. I mean, he’s a great player.”
Doncic, 26, has built an elite resume since entering the NBA in 2018. He was named to five consecutive All-NBA teams after his rookie season, and he was named to five consecutive All-NBA teams last season just because he missed 32 games.
Contains the keys to what Doncic brings to the Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors understand that slowing down Doncic is key to winning on Tuesday. His combination of strength, vision and shooting ability make him nearly impossible to defend.
For Kerr’s team, the opener is more than just a regular season game. It’s a test of how their defensive scheme stacks up against one of the league’s most dangerous scorers.
If the Warriors can limit Doncic’s impact, they could make a big statement at the start of the new season. Tip-off is expected to take place in Los Angeles at 10:00 p.m. ET.
