Wed Oct 22 05:52:34 UTC 2025: Warriors and Thunder Start Season Strong with Opening Night Wins
Los Angeles, CA – Jimmy Butler led the Golden State Warriors to a decisive 119-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, while in Oklahoma City, the reigning champion Thunder defeated the Houston Rockets in a double-overtime thriller on ring night.
Butler dominated for the Warriors, scoring 31 points, while Stephen Curry contributed 23 points. Jonathan Kuminga added 17 points and nine rebounds, and Buddy Hield chipped in with 17 points. The Warriors’ three-point shooting proved to be a significant factor, going 17 of 40 from beyond the arc.
Luka Doncic, playing his first season opener for the Lakers, showcased his talent with 43 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. Austin Reaves contributed 26 points and nine assists. The Lakers struggled from three-point range, shooting just 25%, and missed a concerning 11 of 28 free throw attempts. To make matters worse for Los Angeles, LeBron James missed the game due to sciatica, marking the first season opener he’s missed in his illustrious 23-year career.
Oklahoma City, OK – In a game filled with emotion after raising their championship banner and receiving their rings, the Oklahoma City Thunder edged out the Houston Rockets 125-124 in double overtime. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sealed the win with two free throws with 2.3 seconds left in the second overtime period, finishing with 35 points. Chet Holmgren added 28 points for the Thunder.
Alperen Sengun was a force for the Rockets, scoring a career-high 39 points, with 11 rebounds and seven assists. Kevin Durant scored 23 points before fouling out late in the game.
The Thunder’s hard-fought victory capped off a night of celebration and set the stage for another exciting season.
First Piper 