(Basketball news) Defending champions Golden State Warriors got off to an emphatic start as they beat the Los Angeles Lakers 123-109. For the Warriors, Curry began the season with 33 points, seven assists and six rebounds despite getting off to a slow start as Poole wound up with 12 points and seven assists, while Klay Thompson contributed 18 points in 20 minutes for the Warriors. For the Lakers, James had 31 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, while Russell Westbrook scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds after nursing a sore left hamstring as Anthony Davis added 27 points. The problems for the Lakers were visible on the floor as they lacked three point shooting on the other hand Warriors continued from where they left off from last season. 

'I'm thrilled with the win,'' coach Steve Kerr said. ''Ring night is never an easy game and the first game of the season is usually filled with some nerves early on.''

''We went out there, we had a job to do tonight to win a game,'' Poole said when asked if healing had happened between him and Green. ''It was a ring night and that's really what we were focused on finishing the first game. It was a huge win against a really good team.''

“That third quarter is where they always excelled, when they made this transition to being a powerhouse team,'' James said. ''You've always got to be ready for the third quarters, and we were not tonight.''

''It's really fun to be a part of, it's really fun to watch,'' Poole said. ''These guys have played at the highest level over and over and over again.''

“Whether you make a shot or you miss a shot, you turn the ball over, whatever, you've got to have a short memory and get on to the next play immediately,'' first-year Los Angeles coach Darvin Ham said. ''That has to be something that's in our fabric, not just against Golden State but against the entire league.''

Last season’s beaten finalist Boston Celtics got off their new season to a flying start when they beat the Philadelphia 76ers 126-117. For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 35 points while Malcolm Brogdon added 16 points and Grant Williams finished with 15 as the defending Eastern Conference champions gave new interim coach Joe Mazzulla a victory on his debut on a night. The team also honored the legacy of Bill Russell who recently passed away. For the 76ers, James Harden scored 35 points which is subsequently the most since he joined the 76ers last season as the performance included 12 of 12 from the free throw line and five 3-pointers. Joel Embiid added 26 points and 15 rebounds whileTyrese Maxey finished with 21 points.

''It was just unique and special,'' Brown said. ''It feels a little bit better knowing who we were playing and who we were playing for.''

''It was a proud moment,'' Mazzulla said. ''I think at the end of the game, the 'Let's go Celtics! `chant – we picked up right where we left off. … When they're cheering for you, you're doing something right.''

''We gave them 20-plus points in transition,'' Harden said. ''That's the game right there.''

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