Stephen Curry led the Golden State Warriors with 31 points, combining with a strong bench performance that contributed 50 points, as the Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 112-95 in their NBA Cup opener on October 30 in San Francisco. The victory avenged an opening-night loss to the Lakers on October 21, when Golden State fell 127-105 in Los Angeles.
Curry, coming off a 44-point game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, made eight of his 14 three-point attempts, helping the Warriors overcome a challenging start. The team trailed 38-15 after the first quarter, largely driven by a 25-point first period from Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who finished with a game-high 37 points, including six three-pointers. Despite the deficit, Golden State responded efficiently, outscoring the Lakers 38-15 in the second quarter to level the score at halftime.
“We had a lot of chatter at the end of the first quarter about how we were supposed to respond, and it was kind of cool to see,” said Curry, 38, praising his team’s resilience. The Warriors maintained momentum through the third and fourth quarters, executing a decisive 33-8 run spanning the end of the third and start of the fourth periods to seize control.
Key contributors from the bench included Brandon Williams, Charles Bassey, and De’Anthony Melton, who collectively added 13 points during the crucial surge. Guard Brandin Podziemski also made a significant impact with four three-pointers en route to 21 points. Melton added 16 points and Georges Niang provided 11, with Warriors coach Steve Kerr highlighting the bench’s pivotal role in the comeback. “I thought our bench was really awesome tonight,” Kerr said. “All of these guys came off the bench and gave us huge energy and helped get us back in the game.”
Draymond Green contributed nine assists and three steals, while rookie Payel Lendenborg struggled with six points, five turnovers, and six fouls in limited minutes.
On the Lakers’ side, Doncic led the early charge and contributed seven rebounds, five assists, and two blocks but was unable to sustain the effort as his team committed 22 turnovers, undermining their chances. Austin Reaves added 21 points but also recorded eight turnovers.
Reflecting on the loss, Doncic acknowledged the need for improvement and the role of experience in overcoming such challenges. “I don’t know what it’s going to take, obviously reps, just playing these games,” he said. “The Warriors are a good example; they play defense, they shock a lot. It was a good game for us. Not good because we lost, but it’s gonna take time for sure. I really like playing with these guys. I’m first. I got to be better. We lose together, we win together.”
The Warriors improved to 3-3 on the season following the win, marking their third consecutive victory after a difficult start. The Lakers remain in pursuit of consistency as they face ongoing challenges integrating their roster.