Luka Doncic scores 43 points, but Lakers fall to Warriors in season opener

LOS ANGELES — During a 12½-minute pregame media availability that touched on a wide variety of subjects ahead of his team’s regular-season opener against the Golden State Warriors, one word Coach JJ Redick uttered stood out among the rest: discipline.

Redick mentioned discipline in response to a question about the Warriors’ offensive system, saying defenses need to play within the rules they establish, especially against Golden State’s signature post-split actions that create overactions, leading to easy scoring opportunities.

But Redick’s mention of discipline could have applied to several areas of Tuesday night’s game for the Lakers – because their lack of it played a significant part in them dropping the opener, 119-109, despite Luka Doncic (43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists) turning in a stellar offensive performance.

The Lakers’ lack of ball security (20 turnovers – 15 in the first half) helped create easier opportunities for the Warriors, who scored 22 points off the giveaways.

The Lakers didn’t stay attached enough to one of Golden State’s best shooters, and Buddy Hield (17 points) found his rhythm behind the arc as a difference-maker off the bench.

The Lakers’ defense was stretched thin by the Warriors’ speed and quickness during the third quarter, which Golden State opened with a 19-4 run on its way to a 35-24 advantage in the period. The Lakers’ struggles coming out of halftime date to last season, and it ultimately undid them.

A late 13-3 run helped make the game competitive, with the Lakers trimming their deficit to six (105-99) after a layup from Austin Reaves (26 points, nine assists and five rebounds) with 3:59 left. Reaves scored half of his points in the fourth.

But that was the closest the Lakers got after being down by as many as 17 earlier in the fourth, with the visitors making the Lakers pay for any opening they left open.

Warriors star Steph Curry sealed the victory with a 31-foot 3-pointer that gave the Warriors a 117-107 lead with 51 seconds left. The two-time league MVP made a pair of free throws 12 seconds later, finishing with 23 points and four assists.

Jimmy Butler led the Warriors with 31 points and made all 16 of his free throw attempts to go with five rebounds and four assists.

Deandre Ayton was the lone Laker outside of Doncic and Reaves to score in double figures, finishing with 10 points (5-of-7 shooting) and six rebounds. Marcus Smart had nine points in his Lakers debut.

Jonathan Kuminga added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Warriors, who shot 17 for 40 from 3-point range and 26 for 29 from the foul line. The Lakers were 8 for 32 from long range and 17 for 28 from the free-throw line.

Lakers star LeBron James missed a season opener for the first time in his 23 years in the NBA, watching from the bench due to sciatica that is expected to sideline him until mid-November.

The Lakers will host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

More to come on this story.