The Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors will forever be tied together in NBA history, not only because of their championship pedigrees, but also because of the countless battles they have fought over the past decade. Whenever these two franchises meet, the stakes feel bigger than the average regular season matchup. This is the clash of legacies, superstars, and massive fan bases, and it has become something of a holiday for basketball fans across the globe. That is why the news that the Lakers open up as favorites on opening day, with a 63% chance to win, has already sent shockwaves across the NBA landscape. It isn’t just a prediction—it’s a statement about where both of these storied franchises stand heading into the 2025 season.
For Los Angeles, being favored isn’t necessarily new, but it does mark an important shift. In recent years, the Lakers often came into games against the Warriors as underdogs, particularly when Golden State was in the thick of its dynastic run. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Steve Kerr had built a machine so strong that oddsmakers rarely bet against them, especially on big nights. But as time has gone on, the Warriors’ once-unquestioned dominance has been tested, and the Lakers have slowly regained ground by building a more balanced roster, combining veteran experience with athletic depth. That 63% figure reflects more than just betting lines; it reflects momentum, roster confidence, and the perception that Los Angeles is better positioned at this moment than Golden State.
The Lakers’ offseason moves undoubtedly play a huge role in why they are opening as favorites. Every season, the conversation starts with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and as long as those two are healthy, Los Angeles is always in the conversation for contention. But the Lakers have spent the last two years trying to stabilize the rotation around them, making sure they aren’t left in situations where LeBron has to carry too heavy a load or where Davis’ absence leaves them vulnerable. Adding depth at guard and wing, securing reliable shooters, and strengthening their defensive versatility has made them more adaptable. Oddsmakers clearly see the Lakers as a team that has found balance, which is why they are confident enough to lean so heavily toward them in this opening matchup.
For the Warriors, the story is very different. The aura of invincibility has faded. They are still dangerous, because any team with Steph Curry remains a threat, but the days of overwhelming depth and dominance have passed. Klay Thompson is no longer the automatic two-way threat he once was, and while Draymond Green continues to anchor the defense and set the tone with intensity, there are questions about how sustainable his style is at this stage of his career. Golden State’s younger players have been given more responsibility, but inconsistency has been a defining theme for them. Opening day games are often chaotic, but when you line up a Warriors team still searching for its new identity against a Lakers squad that seems to have found some stability, it makes sense that the balance tilts toward Los Angeles.
That 63% chance isn’t a guarantee, of course—it’s an indicator. It tells us that bookmakers and analysts believe the Lakers have the edge in matchups, health, and momentum. But the Warriors thrive in moments like this. They are used to being doubted, even after all their championships. Steph Curry, in particular, has shown time and again that he relishes the opportunity to silence doubters. An opening day matchup against the Lakers, with national television coverage and the eyes of the league watching, is exactly the type of environment where he can set the tone for Golden State’s season. It would be a mistake to dismiss the Warriors entirely simply because of preseason odds.
This game will also be a fascinating clash of philosophies. The Lakers play a more traditional star-driven system, relying on LeBron’s playmaking and Davis’ two-way dominance. They want to dictate pace, control the paint, and impose their physicality. Golden State, on the other hand, remains wedded to its system of constant movement, spacing, and three-point shooting. Even if the roster is aging, the Warriors still stretch defenses to their limits in ways that few other teams can replicate. That contrast makes for compelling basketball. If the Lakers control tempo, dominate the boards, and punish the Warriors inside, that 63% number will look prophetic. But if Golden State finds rhythm early, hits shots in flurries, and forces the Lakers into a perimeter shootout, the odds can flip in an instant.
LeBron’s presence on opening day is another crucial storyline. Every season, there are questions about how much longer he can perform at such a high level, yet year after year, he continues to defy age and expectations. For him, opening night isn’t just another game—it’s a chance to send a message to the league that the Lakers are contenders, that he still has plenty left in the tank, and that Los Angeles is not just playing for playoff survival but for banners. Being favored only sharpens that narrative. If LeBron delivers a vintage performance and the Lakers win, it will reinforce the belief that Los Angeles can control the Western Conference narrative this season.
Anthony Davis, too, finds himself under the spotlight. His health is always a storyline, but when he’s on the court, his impact is undeniable. Against Golden State, his role is even more magnified. The Warriors don’t have a traditional big who can go toe-to-toe with him inside. If Davis is aggressive offensively, controls the glass, and protects the rim with intensity, it could be the deciding factor. A dominant opening night performance would make the Lakers’ 63% chance look conservative, while also reinforcing the notion that Davis is the most important factor in Los Angeles’ pursuit of another championship.
For Golden State, all eyes are on Steph Curry. He remains the face of the franchise and the ultimate equalizer. It doesn’t matter what the odds are when he’s on the floor—his shooting ability alone can erase deficits, silence crowds, and swing momentum. On opening night, Curry will know the stakes. He’ll know that being labeled underdogs against the Lakers is a reflection of where people think the Warriors stand. That kind of motivation often brings out his best, and a transcendent performance would not only spoil Los Angeles’ opening night but also serve as a reminder to the league that the Warriors should not be written off so quickly.
This matchup also sets the tone for the broader Western Conference battle. Both teams know that the West is stacked with talent, from the defending champion Denver Nuggets to the rising Oklahoma City Thunder to teams like Phoenix, Dallas, and Memphis all jockeying for position. An opening night win won’t determine the entire season, but it will establish momentum. For the Lakers, winning as favorites solidifies their claim as legitimate contenders. For the Warriors, pulling off the upset reaffirms their ability to stay relevant in a league that many believe is passing them by.
The fan element can’t be ignored either. Lakers-Warriors games aren’t just basketball—they are events. From the celebrities sitting courtside in Los Angeles to the deafening roars of Chase Center in San Francisco, the atmosphere is unmatched. Opening day adds another layer. Fans are hungry after a long offseason, narratives are fresh, and every possession feels like it carries double weight. When odds suggest the Lakers should win, the pressure falls on them. If they stumble, the noise will grow louder, and every question about whether they can truly compete will resurface. For the Warriors, being the underdog lets them play looser, with the chance to steal headlines and remind everyone of their pedigree.
Ultimately, the 63% chance given to the Lakers reflects the current moment in NBA history. The balance of power between these two franchises has shifted, at least for now. The Lakers appear to be ascending again, with a roster that makes sense and two stars who remain elite. The Warriors, while still dangerous, are dealing with transition and the natural wear-and-tear of sustained success. Opening night will not only decide an early win or loss but also send a message to the rest of the league about where each team truly stands.
The truth is, no matter what the odds say, Lakers versus Warriors is never predictable. History has shown us that when these two meet, the unexpected happens. A LeBron triple-double, a Curry 40-point barrage, a role player emerging with a breakout game—these are the moments that define their rivalry. The odds may favor the Lakers now, but once the ball tips, numbers mean very little. What matters is execution, adjustments, and which stars rise to the occasion.
So as the NBA prepares for its grand opening, all eyes will be on Los Angeles and Golden State. The Lakers are favored, the Warriors are doubted, and the stage is set for another chapter in one of the league’s greatest rivalries. A 63% chance to win gives Los Angeles the edge, but it also gives Golden State something equally powerful: motivation. And when these two meet, that combination is a recipe for must-watch basketball.
