Game 1: Warriors @ Lakers, opening night! National game!

Twinkie defense · Post #1 » by **Twinkie defense** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 7:26 pm

Warriors are back baby! And highlighting opening night of the 2025-2026 NBA season vs. long-time nemesis Lakers on NBC (7pm PDT).

Unlike LeBron, who looks to be out for what could be a while, Steph looks fresh, energized, and ready for prime time.

Many people have been highlighting Moses Moody for a breakout season and prominent role, but that will have to wait as Moody rehabs his hammy.

Similarly, Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga have been nursing ankles and are questionable, though I don't think there is much chance Jimmy sits out opening night vs. the Lakers on national TV.

This is an offense-heavy, limited-defense version of the Lakers - which is a bad choice for them in my book. But how does their lineup, along with Moody's absence, affect the Warriors' lineup?

Steph, Butler, Draymond likely to get the start, along with I would bet Podz, with Moody and Melton out. Who is the final piece?

Doubtful Kerr will start using up Horford in game 1.
Kuminga, while he could provide some point of attack defense, presents too many problems for the Warriors offense without more shooting on the court.
Probably too much to throw Richard into the deep end.

Will it be GPII to spend some time locking up Luka?! There is a guy Kerr trusts out on the court, knows how to get Curry the ball, and can hit the corner three if he needs to. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say GPII will be the fifth starter tonight!

EvanZ · Post #2 » by **EvanZ** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 7:30 pm

Can't wait for Steph/Podz/Richard/GPII/Buddy lineups.

EvanZ · Post #3 » by **EvanZ** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 7:33 pm

EvanZ wrote:Can't wait for Steph/Podz/Richard/GPII/Buddy lineups.

Sorry how stupid of me. What I meant was

Steph/Podz/Richard/Buddy/Pat Spencer

Twinkie defense · Post #4 » by **Twinkie defense** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 7:45 pm

Prediction: Deandre Ayton has 15 boards and is -17 in the plus/minus :lol:

HiRez · Post #5 » by **HiRez** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 8:33 pm

It's a team we should beat but with their length and Luka's fat ass backing down all our guards for easy lay-ins, nothing will be easy. Speaking of that, is it maybe a good idea to have Jimmy guard Luka? Luka's not that fast so Jimmy wouldn't have to chase him around much, Jimmy is strong enough to not get backed down into he paint, and Jimmy is also really good at guarding physically while not drawing fouls on defense. He's a respected vet who I think the officials generally aren't going to give the rookie treatment to, even against a master foul-baiter such as Doncic (Jimmy being somewhat of a master himself of course).

EvanZ · Post #6 » by **EvanZ** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 8:38 pm

Jimmy, Moody and JK out. Literally all guards and centers tonight. :lol:

Old_Blue · Post #7 » by **Old_Blue** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 8:51 pm

HiRez wrote:It's a team we should beat but with their length and Luka's fat ass backing down all our guards for easy lay-ins, nothing will be easy.

Poor Luka. In LA, he won't be able to eat a single carnitas super burrito without drawing scrutiny. I say let Luka be Luka. Release the Fat Mamba!

AirP. · Post #8 » by **AirP.** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 9:24 pm

Golden State coach Steve Kerr is leaning toward starting young forward Jonathan Kuminga against the Lakers, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday on "NBA Today."

"I'm told Steve Kerr is leaning toward starting Jonathan Kuminga in the starting lineup, which would mean Al Horford coming off the bench," Charania said. "I think that's something to keep an eye on throughout the early part of this season, Jonathan Kuminga getting a good chunk of starts here."

If Kuminga starts, veteran forward Draymond Green would play center, with Horford, as Charania mentioned, coming off the bench.

Read on Twitter

HiRez · Post #9 » by **HiRez** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 9:59 pm

I'm not surprised, the Lakers are a good matchup for JK. Last year he averaged 16.0 pts on 50% shooting, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, with only 0.5 turnovers against them in 26.5 minutes.

whatisacenter · Post #10 » by **whatisacenter** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 10:10 pm

Makes sense to start JK.

This roster lacks a POA defender with Melton and Moody still out with injuries.

Twinkie defense · Post #11 » by **Twinkie defense** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 10:22 pm

AirP. wrote:
Golden State coach Steve Kerr is leaning toward starting young forward Jonathan Kuminga against the Lakers, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday on "NBA Today."

"I'm told Steve Kerr is leaning toward starting Jonathan Kuminga in the starting lineup, which would mean Al Horford coming off the bench," Charania said. "I think that's something to keep an eye on throughout the early part of this season, Jonathan Kuminga getting a good chunk of starts here."

IDK why you would want to start Kuminga with no Horford and no Moody. :dontknow:

Also, that doesn't sound like such a "unique" starting lineup... unless for example you roll out Richard with him. Now that would be a "unique" starting lineup :lol:

Twinkie defense · Post #12 » by **Twinkie defense** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 10:30 pm

whatisacenter wrote:Makes sense to start JK.

This roster lacks a POA defender with Melton and Moody still out with injuries.

GPII says hi!

whatisacenter · Post #13 » by **whatisacenter** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 10:33 pm

Twinkie defense wrote:
whatisacenter wrote:Makes sense to start JK.

This roster lacks a POA defender with Melton and Moody still out with injuries.

GPII says hi!

GPII fell off a cliff last season if you ask me.

Although, he is the only other player on the roster other than JK that is a plus athlete.

cpower · Post #14 » by **cpower** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 10:48 pm

This is setting up to be a slow scoring game from the start. Kerr choosing on a lineup that did not work for last year is crazy to me

AirP. · Post #15 » by **AirP.** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 10:53 pm

Twinkie defense wrote:
AirP. wrote:
Golden State coach Steve Kerr is leaning toward starting young forward Jonathan Kuminga against the Lakers, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday on "NBA Today."

"I'm told Steve Kerr is leaning toward starting Jonathan Kuminga in the starting lineup, which would mean Al Horford coming off the bench," Charania said. "I think that's something to keep an eye on throughout the early part of this season, Jonathan Kuminga getting a good chunk of starts here."

IDK why you would want to start Kuminga with no Horford and no Moody.

Also, that doesn't sound like such a "unique" starting lineup... unless for example you roll out Richard with him. Now that would be a "unique" starting lineup

If you have to play Horford with limited minutes and want him to close games, you shouldn't start him and have multiple long breaks between playing time. Also, if you're doing well with him not starting, in games you don't need him you let him sit that night and just play Post play his minutes.

I think unique is point towards 3 low volume 3pt shooters like Butler, Green and Kuminga on the court together.

AirP. · Post #16 » by **AirP.** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 11:02 pm

cpower wrote:This is setting up to be a slow scoring game from the start. Kerr choosing on a lineup that did not work for last year is crazy to me

This may be a way to reward Kuminga for playing the right way so far. Kuminga looking to just run the offense vs just calling his own number could really help this team, the question is how long can he keep playing Kerr's way vs going back to doing what he wants to do?

AirP. · Post #17 » by **AirP.** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 11:02 pm

Read on Twitter

Twinkie defense · Post #18 » by **Twinkie defense** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 11:02 pm

AirP. wrote:If you have to play Horford with limited minutes and want him to close games, you shouldn't start him and have multiple long breaks between playing time.

I agree, tough to start Horford if you're trying to limit his minutes.

I'm not suggesting they start Horford - just that it's tough to play Kuminga without him.

EvanZ · Post #19 » by **EvanZ** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 11:52 pm

I thought Slater reported no JK or Butler tonight? Maybe it was a fake tweet.

Crazy-Canuck · Post #20 » by **Crazy-Canuck** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 11:58 pm

They can get away without starting horford against the lakers.

That team won't be able to guard anyone. Their best perimeter defender is bronny, then maybe laravia. Let that sink in. More athleticism, activity, and rim attacks is the better play, so I dont mind jk and podz at all vs the lakers. Lack of shooting is less of a problem.