Warriors spoil Doncic’s performance as Thunder roll past Rockets in NBA opener

The Golden State Warriors beat the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday 119-109 in the opening of the new NBA season, which also saw a fast-paced double-overtime victory by the Oklahoma City Thunder over the Houston Rockets.

In Los Angeles, Luka Doncic brushed a colossal triple double with 43 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists that could not prevent the defeat of a Lakers who are now under his command.

The Slovenian star is leading the Los Angeles team early in the season as LeBron James sits out with sciatica.

Doncic kicked off his first full season with the Lakers, where he arrived in February in a trade from Dallas, by giving a welcome message to the Crypto.com arena crowd before the opening game.

Doncic's recital was only seconded by shooting guard Austin Reaves, who chipped in with 26 points and 9 assists.

On defense, the Lakers were also unable to stop the effectiveness of the Warriors' star players nor their success from the outside line, with a total of 17 three-pointers converted (42.5% effectiveness) for just 8 (25%) of the locals.

Defensively, the Lakers couldn’t contain the Warriors’ shooters, who hit 17 three-pointers at a 42.5 percent clip, while the home team managed just 8 (25%).

Jimmy Butler was the top scorer for the visitors with 31 points and an unerring 16-16 series in free throws.

Stephen Curry was held to 23 points, but he did make some decisive plays as the Lakers had cut their 17-point deficit to 7 with a minute left.

Curry stopped the surge with a mammoth long-range triple that put the Warriors back within 10 points.

Jordan in the spotlight

Nostalgia also had its place on opening day with the league's return to NBC TV after a 23-year absence.

It was the start of the mega TV deal signed by the NBA, an 11-year, $77 billion television contract with the network, as well as with the Disney (ESPN) group and Amazon Prime.

The NBC telecast had as a major attraction the debut of the legendary Michael Jordan as a "special contributor."

His first contribution was an interview in which the leader of the mythical Chicago Bulls of the 1990s expressed his longing for basketball.

SGA saves Oklahoma City

The curtain on the 80th NBA season rose with a Oklahoma City Thunder 125-124 win over the Houston Rockets in a fierce showdown with a playoff intensity.

The Thunder, reigning champions, prevailed after two overtimes against the Rockets who, with Kevin Durant as their new signing, presented their credentials as ring contenders.

Durant scored 23 points, while Turkey's Alperen Sengün led the Rockets with 39 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists.

This new star duo was, however, outplayed by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), who imposed his Most Valuable Player (MVP) hierarchy with 35 points and the decisive baskets for theThunder.

Gilgeous-Alexander capped a 12-point comeback by Oklahoma City by scoring a layup with three seconds left that forced the first overtime.