Luka Doncic was ready to make a headline in the Los Angeles Lakers' NBA Cup opening game, but only for one quarter on Friday, October 30, 2026. The Los Angeles Lakers opened the scoring with a 40-15 run that stretched into the second quarter, with the Golden State Warriors appearing to be a fading team.
Doncic, who appeared locked in, scored 21 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 steal in the first quarter alone. But Warriors made a stunning comeback in the second quarter with a 38-15 lead to tie the game at halftime and storm back from a 25-point lead and seal the win with 112-95.
However, despite the 25-point comeback, the highlight of the game was the viral moment when Stephen Curry dropped Lakers guard Doncic in the third quarter before attempting a 3-pointer to narrow the deficit to six points. Curry scored 31 points on 11-of-23 shooting attempts (8-of-14 from 3-point range) plus 6 assists and 4 rebounds.
While Doncic finished the game with 37 points on 12-of-27 shooting attempts, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. The Warriors have registered three straight wins, opening the 2026-27 season strongly after drafting Curry.
The victory provides them a key advantage in NBA Cup play, where they are grouped with the Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings. Fans across the globe witnessed a thrilling encounter that showcased the true competitive spirit of modern professional basketball.
Experts believe that this momentum will carry forward as the regular season progresses into tougher fixtures. Golden State management expressed immense satisfaction over the team's resilience and tactical execution under pressure.