Luka Doncic expects a tough test against Steph Curry in the Lakers’ opener

They remain two of the NBA’s biggest stars, and when LeBron James and the Lakers take on Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, it’s must-see TV.

The Lakers and Warriors will open the regular season against each other Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena, but James will not play because he has a sciatic nerve injury on his right side.

However, the Lakers-Warriors rivalry will continue to shine.

“Obviously facing Steph is very exciting,” Lakers star Luka Doncic said after practice on Monday. “It’s going to be a tough match. I don’t know if it’s a competition or not, but it’s definitely an exciting match.”

When the Lakers played the Warriors on Christmas last season, James and Curry put on a show.

James scored 31 points and had 10 assists in the Lakers’ victory, and Curry also scored 38 points.

The two have proven once again that they can captivate sports fans.

“The Lakers-Warriors game was tough,” Lakers forward Rui Hachimura said. “We always play very tough games, like the playoffs. So this will be the case [the same]. …So, even with LeBron out, it’s going to be a great game. Of course, we have to compete and try to get that dub [win]”.

The rivalry between James and Curry reached its peak from 2015 to 2018, when their teams met in the NBA Finals four years in a row. James, who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers during those years, won just one championship against Curry.

“The rivalry between Steph and LeBron, whatever you want to call it, was always great — for whatever team they were on and for the league itself,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “I know we had some great games against those guys last year. To be a part of that was really cool. I think when you’re the Lakers and you play on national television more than any other team, you’re generally going to play against great teams and that’s what’s going to happen tomorrow. I think it’s just general excitement about the start of the year. I don’t know if there’s anything extra to that.”

With James out, Doncic said there is “nothing specific” he needs to do further.

“I’m just trying to win every game,” Doncic said. “Obviously it will be difficult with LeBron out. But when he is ready to come back, he will definitely help us a lot.”

Doncic will get help from Austin Reeves, Deandre Ayton, Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and the rest of the Lakers.

Curry will get help from his old teammate Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler.

But a lot of eyes will be on Curry, someone Doncic greatly respects.

“Sure. As an opponent, obviously [it is] “He’s very difficult to guard. He’s moving all the time. He’s moving all the time,” Doncic said. He can shoot from anywhere, so I feel like it’s difficult but always exciting. “Facing a player like him is very exciting.”

etc.

Redick said James, who is expected to be out until November, did “individual work” during practice on Monday. Redick said Lakers backup center Jackson Hayes (right wrist contusion) was “trending” to play on Tuesday, as were Brony James (ankle) and Maxi Kleber (quad).