The Warriors beat the Los Angeles Lakers 125-108 in their preseason opener on Saturday, leading by as many as 19 points.
Anthony Davis scored nine of the Lakers’ first 11 points, but a series of early 3-pointers from the Splash Brothers kept the Warriors ahead. The Warriors built an 18-point lead in the second quarter and built a 19-point advantage in the second half after the starters exited the game. Every player entering a Warriors game has a plus-minus rating.
team leader
GSW
| integral | rebound | Assist |
| Kuminga-24 | Kuminga-8 | Paul-5 |
| Moody’s – 15 | Podemski-5 | Podemski-4 |
| Podemski-11 | Moody/Looney – 5 | Kuminga-4 |
Limulus reagent
| integral | rebound | Assist |
| Christie-15 | Hachimura-7 | Russell-5 |
| Davis – 15 | Vanderbilt-7 | Vinson-4 |
| Russell-15 | Hood Schifino – 6 | Hayes – 3 |
Kuminga shines
Jonathan Kuminga scored a game-high 24 points, 8 rebounds and 4 three-pointers. He also tied rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis with a game-high two blocks. Kuminga’s highlight came in the fourth quarter when he caught a lob from Kendrick Davis and drained a two-handed dunk.
Highlights: Jonathan Kuminga scores 24 points in Warriors’ preseason opener
Podemski’s first move
Rookie Brandin Pozzimski was efficient on both ends of the floor. Podemski performed well in full-court defense, displaying his ball-handling instincts and ability to read passing lanes. Offensively, he’s aggressive and looking for his own shot. Podzimski hit Taurean Prince with a Euro-step for his first basket and finished the game at the rim.
Podzimski’s Eurostep finish
Late in the first quarter, he was guarding Lakers rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, who was selected two picks ahead of the 2023 draft. Podziemski intercepted Hood Schifino’s pass attempt and hit a rushing Gary Payton II with a football-style corner kick just outside half court. Late in the second period, the rookie defender looked over Hachimura and scored his first goal of the preseason. Podemski played 26 minutes and scored 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
Very suitable for new veterans
Chris Paul and Dario Saric are both getting a feel for their new roles with their new teams. Paul starts the game and is able to change the pace, picking up the pace when the team has a numerical advantage and slowing down when the team doesn’t. Paul makes timely reads in transition and in the half-court to find open shooters early and often. He dished out a team-high five assists in 13 minutes of playing time, while scoring six points and grabbing four rebounds.
Highlights: Chris Paul makes debut with Golden State Warriors
Dario Šarić served as backup center and hit an early 3-pointer (one of his two in the game) that highlighted his ability to space the floor. Like forward Draymond Green, who often calls the shots, Saric often plays a coordinator role with the second unit, bringing the ball and arranging dribble handoffs. Saric played 15 minutes and scored 6 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
Previous
The Warriors will travel to Los Angeles for their second consecutive preseason game against the Lakers on October 13 at 7 p.m. before returning to Chase Center to take on their Northern California neighbors, the Sacramento Kings, on October 18 (7 p.m.). Wednesday’s game against the Kings will be “Stephen Curry Graduation” bobblehead night, while the Oct. 20 home preseason finale against the Spurs will be “Paper Plane Klay” bobblehead night.
