NBA Opening Night Recap: Warriors Power Past Lakers, Thunder Edge Rockets in OT

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 16:42 - 22 October 2025

The 2025-26 NBA season returned with no shortage of drama as Golden State Warriors and the reigning champs OKC began their campaigns on the right note.

The Golden State Warriors began their campaign with a commanding 119-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, despite a 43-point showing from Luka Dončić.

Jimmy Butler drops 31 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL as the Warriors get the OPENING NIGHT 119-109 WIN over Luka & the Lakers 😤🔥

Stephen Curry: 23 PTS, 4 AST, 3 STL, 1 BLK pic.twitter.com/ez5Vbankm6
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) October 22, 2025

Jimmy Butler led the Warriors with 31 points, while Stephen Curry added 23 and made history as the oldest guard to score 20+ in an opener. Golden State’s rotation depth and defensive tenacity overshadowed the Lakers’ early surge.

Stephen Curry plays for the Golden State Warriors. Credit : Imago

Meanwhile, the reigning champs, Oklahoma City Thunder, survived a wild 125-124 double-overtime thriller against Kevin Durant’s Houston Rockets.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered 35 points and clinched the win with late free throws.

A controversial non-call saw Durant attempt a timeout Houston no longer had, missing a technical foul that could have changed the outcome.

On Opening Night, two marquee games delivered: one showing Golden State’s cohesion and experience, the other highlighting the West’s volatility and turnover-heavy mistakes.