Stephen Curry sets a new NBA record as LeBron James watches helplessly

On opening night of the 2025-26 NBA season, they were set to face two of the biggest stars the league has ever seen Stephen Curry and LeBron James against each other for, one might assume, one of the last times. alas, James could not be present on the court for the Los Angeles Lakers on tuesday night as Golden State Warriors managed affairs against Luka Dončić and company, 119-109.

While the Warriors aren’t exactly fully healthy, the absence of Moses Moody and DeAnthony Melton doesn’t quite compare to losing James to the Lakers. However, the Dubs can only play with the team that is in front of them, and they managed to overcome the storm of Doncic, who despite 43 points was at a loss.

Curry didn’t have his best game, but he didn’t need to; he gave up 23 points on 6-14 shooting from the field and 3-9 from beyond the arc in a quiet night by his standards. At the same time, he became the oldest guard in NBA history to score 20 points in a season opener, as noted by Polymarket Hoops on X (formerly Twitter).

The Warriors star took the spot over Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Cummings and Buddy Hield, who all had their moments on Tuesday night. Butler led the team in scoring with 31 points after repeatedly getting to the foul line, Kuminga impressed the fans with a better all-around gameand Hield turned the game around in the second half by knocking down four 3-pointers.

Regardless, Curry showed that he remains the star of this show; with the Lakers mounting a late comeback effort, Curry shut them down with a 3-pointer from near the hash line to seal the deal for the Warriors and earn them their first win of the new campaign.

The Warriors are coming back strong in numbers

The Warriors’ original championship DNA was built on depth and defense, and they returned to that in the twilight of Curry’s career. Klay Thompson may not be on the team anymore, but Butler gives the team toughnessinterior scoring, rebounding and drawing fouls that the team desperately needs to compete.

Brandin Podziemski made good reads, Draymond Green was a monster defensively, and even rookie Will Richard established himself as a core rotation player for the Warriors.

If the Warriors’ secondary can lighten Curry’s workload in the regular season, it should keep him fresh for the playoffs to avoid a repeat of what happened last season.