The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers brought regular-season fire to their preseason opener Sunday at Chase Center, with Golden State pulling out a 125–117 win in a game that felt far from exhibition pace.
The first quarter went back and forth, with the Warriors holding a slim 32–31 edge. Los Angeles countered in the second before a late Golden State surge gave the home team a 62–55 halftime lead. But it wasn’t the scoreboard that defined the night — it was the energy, and a familiar source of tension.
Draymond Green, Jarred Vanderbilt Ignite the Moment
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Early in the second quarter, Draymond Green set a hard screen for Stephen Curry that sent Jarred Vanderbilt tumbling. Moments later, Vanderbilt appeared to trip Green as he backpedaled, sparking a brief confrontation between the two before teammates and officials intervened.
The sequence felt like a flashback. Green, now 35, has tried to rein in the outbursts that once defined his career, helping the Warriors reach the second round of last season’s playoffs. Yet the old fire remains. “That competitive fire will always burn for Draymond,” a team insider noted. Vanderbilt, 26, meanwhile, continues to thrive in his role as the Lakers’ defensive agitator — one unafraid of matching Green’s intensity.
Green’s Rough Night, Golden State’s Bigger Picture
Statistically, it was an uneven showing for Green, who managed just two points on six shots in 14 minutes. His missed opportunities included a blocked three-pointer and a blown layup — reminders of rust more than regression.
Curry led the way with 14 first-half points, supported by Moses Moody’s 13. Jimmy Butler and Al Horford also logged minutes as Golden State’s new-look lineup took shape. LeBron James and Luka Doncic were both rested by Los Angeles, leaving Vanderbilt to shoulder the competitive load.
For all the preseason disclaimers, the Warriors and Lakers showed that even in early October, pride and rivalry still run deep.
