LeBron James missed the first game of the season for the first time in 23 years in the NBA, watching from the Lakers bench. The league's all-time leading scorer has sciatica, which is expected to sideline him until mid-November.
Jonathan Kuminga scored 17 points as the Warriors largely shut down the Lakers, minus Doncic. who scored 40 points for the 47th time in his NBA career and third since joining the Lakers.
Doncic added 12 rebounds and nine assists in his season opener with the Lakers, but the Slovenian superstar was 2 of 10 on 3-point attempts as Los Angeles lost its season opener for the ninth time in 10 years.
Curry entered his 17th season with just three 3-pointers, ceding the primary offensive roles to Kuminga and Buddy Hield, who made five 3-pointers.
Butler made all 16 of his free throws and Curry hit a 3-pointer in the final minute for his first points of the fourth quarter.
Austin Reaves scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter after battling foul trouble.
Golden State opened the second half with a 19-4 run to open up a lead that grew to 17 points. Reeves led a fourth-quarter rally to cut the Warriors' lead to 105-99, but Los Angeles couldn't get any closer.
Draymond Green scored just eight points and picked up an early technical foul while sitting on the bench, but his 3-pointer with 3:33 left stopped the Lakers' momentum.
Deandre Ayton had 10 points and six rebounds in his Lakers debut, and Marcus Smart had nine points.
Al Horford scored five points in his Warriors debut, hitting a 3-pointer on his first shot in his 19th NBA season.
Warriors: Host the Nuggets on Thursday night.
The Lakers host the Timberwolves on Friday night.
