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The Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors is scheduled for tonight at Crypto.com Arena for what promises to be one of the most intriguing opening night matchups in recent memory. With major star power on display and key absences that could shape the game, this Western Conference battle sets the tone for both teams heading into the 2025-26 season. On that note, let’s discuss injuries, lineups, and other details for tonight’s matchup. Lakers vs Warriors: Injury Report The Lakers face significant challenges with their injury situation heading into opening night. LeBron James remains sidelined with sciatica and is not expected to return until mid-November. The 40-year-old superstar sustained the nerve injury during an on-court workout in late July or early August. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad “He has his own timeline,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said about James’ recovery process. The Lakers are also without rookie forward Adou Thiero, who continues to recover from knee surgery and will be re-evaluated at the end of October. Backup center Maxi Kleber is listed as questionable with an abdominal muscle strain after missing most of the preseason with a quad injury. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad The Warriors have their own injury concerns but appear in better shape for the opener. Jimmy Butler is listed as probable with an ankle injury after missing the final three preseason games. However, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr confirmed that Butler traveled with the team to Los Angeles and is expected to play. Jonathan Kuminga is also probable with an ankle injury that kept him out of the preseason finale. The Warriors will definitely be without Moses Moody (calf strain), De’Anthony Melton (knee surgery), and Alex Toohey (knee). Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports Moody’s absence is particularly notable as he had emerged as a key starter during the preseason, averaging 14.5 points on efficient shooting. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Both teams dealt with injury management throughout the preseason, but the Warriors appear to have their core players healthier for the season opener. Butler’s potential return gives Golden State a significant advantage, while the Lakers will need to adjust to life without their veteran superstar for the foreseeable future. Possible starting lineup The Lakers are expected to roll out a starting five of Luka Doncic at point guard, Austin Reaves at shooting guard, Rui Hachimura at small forward, Jarred Vanderbilt at power forward, and Deandre Ayton at center. JJ Redick confirmed that Friday’s preseason finale starters against Sacramento would be the opening night lineup. Gabe Vincent may also factor into the starting rotation depending on matchup considerations. This group represents a significant shift from last season with Doncic now firmly established as the primary ball handler and Ayton providing the interior presence the Lakers lacked in recent seasons. The Warriors starting lineup remains somewhat unclear with Kerr keeping his cards close to his chest. “I feel pretty confident that Steph Curry will be in the starting lineup,” Kerr quoted. The likely starting five includes Stephen Curry at point guard, Brandin Podziemski at shooting guard, Jimmy Butler at small forward, Draymond Green at power forward, and either Al Horford or Jonathan Kuminga at the fifth spot. Kerr indicated that with Moses Moody out, Podziemski is a lock to start, while the final position could go to veteran Al Horford or the athletic Kuminga depending on the matchup strategy. Where to watch the Lakers vs the Warriors season opener Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 Time: 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT Where to Watch: NBC (TV), Peacock (Streaming), NBC Sports App, Fubo The game marks the NBA’s return to NBC for the first time since 2002 and serves as the second half of opening night’s doubleheader. Coverage begins at 6:30 PM ET on both NBC and Peacock. The matchup will be available through multiple streaming options including Peacock’s live stream, the NBC Sports App, and Fubo for cord-cutters. SiriusXM will provide radio coverage on channel 86 with Lakers commentary. This represents one of the most widely accessible NBA games with NBC’s broad reach and Peacock’s streaming capabilities ensuring fans can watch across multiple platforms. Predictions for tonight’s Lakers vs Warriors The Warriors enter as 2.5-point road favorites with the total set at 225.5 points. Despite playing in Los Angeles, Golden State’s veteran leadership and more cohesive preseason performance give them the edge in this matchup. The Warriors posted a strong 23-7 record last season when Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry played together, showcasing their championship-level potential when healthy. Their defensive improvements after the Butler trade, ranking as the best defensive team over the final 31 games, should help contain a Lakers offense without LeBron James. The Lakers face the challenge of integrating new pieces like Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart while relying heavily on Luka Doncic’s playmaking without their veteran leader. Austin Reaves will need to step up significantly, as he averaged 27.9 points in games without James last season. However, the Warriors’ experience in big moments and their championship pedigree with Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green should prove decisive in a close contest.
