A New Era of Warriors-Lakers Starts With Curry vs. Luka

Warriors-Lakers used to be the easiest marquee game in the league to explain: Steph Curry against LeBron James. LeBron may be in Philadelphia now, but don’t mistake Wednesday’s ESPN matchup for some quiet changing of the guard. Curry’s still here. Luka Dončić runs the Lakers now. And both teams have something to prove.

You don’t need a documentary to understand the history. The Lakers edged Golden State in the 2021 play-in and knocked the Warriors out of the 2023 playoffs. Golden State won last season’s opener, though, even with Luka scoring 43. Jimmy Butler answered with 31, and Curry added 23. It was a useful reminder: winning the star matchup doesn’t necessarily mean winning the game.

That matters even more this time. The Lakers won 53 games and made it to the second round last spring, but Oklahoma City swept them while Luka missed the entire postseason with a hamstring injury. Golden State won 37 and went out in the play-in. L.A. is trying to show that their first post-LeBron team can do more than look good on paper. The Warriors are trying to squeeze another real run out of Curry’s small window.

The headliners couldn't make the same job look more different. Curry moves without the ball until somebody loses him for half a second. Luka gets the ball and starts slowly and meticulously dissecting the defense. They were the only two players to average at least four made threes a game last season: 4.4 for Curry, 4.0 for Luka. Same damage, completely different routes.

Kessler is the wrinkle that makes this more than just a shooting contest. He gives Luka a target above the rim and gives the Lakers a real shot blocker. But Golden State’s going to drag him into actions away from the basket. If he hangs back, Curry can stroll into a three. If he steps up, Draymond Green gets room to attack behind him. That decision could swing a close game.

The bigger question is on the other end: who helps Curry close out possessions? Butler’s still working his way back from an ACL tear, and Porziņģis will also miss this one with a health issue. Golden State has Green, Brandin Podziemski, and promising rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. But they don't have Butler, who steadied last year’s opener. The Lakers, on the other hand, can turn to Reaves late, especially if Golden State loads up on Luka. He averaged 23.3 points last season and gives them another reliable option when things bog down.

So who wins? I’ll take the Lakers. Curry could make that pick look ridiculous in about 90 seconds, especially if L.A.’s new pieces lose track of him in transition. But Luka and Reaves give Los Angeles two dependable answers late in the game, and Kessler should make the paint a tougher place to work.

All stats courtesy of NBA.com.