After unveiling their new championship banner and receiving their rings in a pregame ceremony, the Golden State Warriors still had business to handle against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2022-23 season opener on Tuesday night.
The Warriors showed no signs of a championship hangover against the Lakers. Despite a fierce double-double with 21 points on 12-of-25 shooting from the field and 14 rebounds from LeBron James, the Warriors cruised to a 123-109 win over the Lakers.
Steph Curry fueled an impressive first impression from the Warriors with a game-high 33 points on 10-of-22 shooting from the field with four made triples, seven assists, six rebounds and four steals in 33 minutes.
Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole all added double-figure scoring performances as the Warriors secured a victory to start the season, 1-0.
With game one in the books, here are three thoughts from the notebook on Tuesday night.
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Third Quarter
After holding a seven-point lead at halftime, the Warriors exploded in the third quarter in signature fashion.
Seven different members of the Warriors got on the board in the third quarter alone. Klay Thompson led the way in the third with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from the floor. Curry followed him with eight points on 2-of-4 shooting from the field. The Warriors added four triples in the third quarter to take a commanding lead.
Along with their potent offense, Golden State’s defense helped force eight turnovers from the Lakers. The Warriors held the Lakers to 28.6% shooting from the field in the third.
The defending champs outscored the Lakers 32-19 in the third frame. Behind a strong third quarter, the Warriors were able to stretch their lead to 20 points heading into the fourth quarter.
3-Point Punch
While Curry and Thompson were up to their typical antics from beyond the arc, the Lakers struggled to find the bottom of the net from deep. As Golden State tacked on 16 triples on 45 attempts from long distance, the Lakers were ice cold from the 3-point line.
On opening night, the Lakers shot 25% from behind the 3-point line on 10-of-40 shooting. James and Kendrick Nunn were the only players to register multiple 3-pointers, with three each.
Along with Curry and Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, JaMychal Green and Jordan Poole, all added two or more triples. Wiggins got hot from deep in the fourth quarter, drilling three 3-pointers on three attempts to close out the Lakers.
JaMychal Green
After losing key second-unit players in free agency like Otto Porter Jr., Nemanja Bjelica and Gary Payton II, the Warriors will need a player to step up off the bench. On opening night, JaMychal Green gave a glimpse of a potential solution off the bench.
On Tuesday night, Green made a strong first impression with eight points on 3-of-6 shooting from the field. Green added seven boards and a steal in 23 minutes in Steve Kerr’s remodeled second unit. Green showed off his ability to stretch the court, knocking down a pair of triples on three attempts from deep.
Highlight of the Night
Via @NBCSWarriors on Twitter:
AD had no idea which way Steph was going 😅 pic.twitter.com/CpwrfLGLJ6
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 19, 2022
What's Next?
- Opponent: Denver Nuggets (0-0)
- Date: Friday, Oct. 21
- Start: 7 p.m. PT
- Location: Chase Center – San Francisco
