They remain two of the NBA's greatest stars, and whenever LeBron James And Lakers face Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors are must-see television.
Lakers and the Warriors open the regular season against each other Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena, but James will not play because he has a sciatica nerve injury on his right side.
However, the rivalry between the Lakers and Warriors will continue.
“Obviously, going against Steph is a lot of fun.” Lakers star Luka Doncic said after training on Monday. “It's going to be tough. I don't know if it's going to be a rivalry game, but it's going to be an exciting game for sure.”
When the Lakers and Warriors played on Christmas Day last season, James and Curry put on quite a show.
James scored 31 points and had 10 assists in the Lakers' win, while Curry had 38 points.
The two have once again proven that they can captivate sports fans.
“Lakers vs. Warriors was intense,” Lakers forward Rui Hachimura said. “We've always played pretty tight playoff-type games. So it's going to be [the same]. … So even without LeBron, it's going to be a great game. Of course, we have to compete and we are trying to get this dubbing. [win]”
James and Curry's rivalry reached its peak from 2015-2018, when their teams met in the NBA Finals four years in a row. James, who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers during those years, won just one championship against Curry.
Warriors star Stephen Curry shot Lakers Luka Doncic during a game on April 3.
(Michael Owens/Getty Images)
“The Steph-LeBron rivalry, whatever you want to call it, it was always going to be a tremendous matchup, for whatever teams they played and for the league itself,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “I know we had some great games against these guys last year. It was really cool to be a part of. I think when you play for the Lakers and play on national television more than any other team, you tend to play against great teams, and that's what it's going to be like tomorrow. I think it's just general excitement about the start of the year. I don't know if there's more to it.”
Doncic said he has “nothing specific” to do extra with James out.
“I just try to win every game,” Doncic said. “Obviously it's going to be tough without LeBron. But when he's ready to come back, he'll definitely help us a lot.”
Doncic will be helped by Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton, Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and the rest of the Lakers.
Curry will be assisted by longtime teammate Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler.
But many eyes will be on Curry, whom Doncic respects immensely.
“Of course. As an opponent, obviously [it is] it’s very difficult to guard him,” Doncic said. – He moves all the time. He can hit from anywhere, so I think it's challenging but always interesting. It’s very interesting to play against such a player.”
Etc.
Redick said James, who is expected to be out until November, was doing “individual work” during Monday's practice. Redick said Lakers backup center Jackson Hayes (right wrist contusion) is “tending” to play Tuesday, as are Bronny James (ankle) and Maxi Kleber (quadriceps).
