The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2025–26 NBA season with optimism and fresh expectations. A new roster headlined by Luka Dončić promised to bring energy, balance, and a renewed shot at championship contention. Yet opening night against the Golden State Warriors told a different story. While Dončić delivered a breathtaking 43-point performance, the rest of the Lakers failed to rise to the occasion. Among the most concerning performances came from Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt, two players expected to shoulder key roles in the team’s rotation.
The Lakers’ 119–109 loss was not merely the result of a hot-shooting Warriors team but also of the lack of offensive support behind Dončić. LeBron James’ absence left a clear void, and the players tasked with filling it struggled to provide consistency. Gabe Vincent, who started in James’ place, looked out of rhythm from the start. Despite logging 29 minutes, he managed only 3 points, shooting 1-for-4 from the field and 1-for-4 from three-point range. His lone assist and one steal were small contributions in a game where the Lakers needed him to step forward.
Vincent’s struggles stood in sharp contrast to his preseason outings, where he appeared confident and poised as a secondary ball handler. Against Golden State, however, his shot selection was hesitant, and his impact minimal. The Warriors’ defensive schemes exposed his weaknesses, forcing him into uncomfortable pull-up attempts and denying him the driving lanes he relies on. Without LeBron’s playmaking to ease the pressure, Vincent’s offensive limitations were magnified. The Lakers needed his floor spacing to help open the game for Dončić and Anthony Davis, but his cold shooting night allowed Golden State to pack the paint and disrupt rhythm.
If Vincent’s performance was underwhelming, Jarred Vanderbilt’s night was even more frustrating. After an offseason reportedly focused on developing his offensive touch and outside shot, Vanderbilt’s debut offered little evidence of progress. In 12 minutes of play, he went scoreless, shooting 0-for-4 from the field and missing both of his three-point attempts. He grabbed only three rebounds and recorded one steal, but his overall impact was minimal. For a player often praised for his energy and hustle, Vanderbilt appeared a step slow and lacked the confidence to assert himself offensively.
The Lakers had hoped that Vanderbilt’s improved shooting would allow him to play alongside Davis without compromising spacing. Instead, his struggles reaffirmed the long-standing concern that he clogs the offense when paired with non-shooters. His defensive presence remains valuable, yet modern NBA spacing demands more from forwards. Against a Warriors team that thrives on perimeter precision, Vanderbilt’s inability to contribute offensively stood out.
The combined efforts of Vincent and Vanderbilt yielded only 3 points in 41 total minutes. For a team missing one of its primary scorers, that kind of production is unsustainable. Dončić’s heroics kept the Lakers competitive, but no single player can shoulder such a heavy load across an 82-game season. The Lakers’ supporting cast must step up to transform the team from a one-man show into a cohesive unit capable of contending in the Western Conference.
The defeat also exposed a deeper issue that may linger through the early season: the Lakers’ dependence on star power. When everything flows through Dončić and Davis, the offense can look brilliant, but when secondary players disappear, the system stalls. Without reliable shooting and creation from the supporting cast, opposing defenses can focus on double-teaming Dončić, forcing others to make plays they seem unprepared to handle.
For coach Darvin Ham, finding a balance in rotations will be critical. Vincent and Vanderbilt are both valuable for different reasons—Vincent for his perimeter defense and Vanderbilt for his energy—but both must expand their roles if the Lakers are to stay competitive. Bench players such as Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura have shown flashes of scoring ability, but the Lakers will need more from everyone if they hope to survive the brutal Western schedule.
It is still early in the season, and one game rarely defines a player’s year. Vincent’s track record suggests he can bounce back, particularly once LeBron returns to lighten his playmaking responsibilities. Vanderbilt’s defensive instincts and rebounding can still provide value if he finds confidence in his jumper. Yet the margin for error in the Western Conference is slim. Teams like Denver, Phoenix, and Golden State punish inconsistency, and every lost opportunity can matter in playoff seeding.
The Lakers’ opener was a reminder that championship aspirations require depth, not just star brilliance. Luka Dončić proved that he can carry a team offensively, but basketball remains a collective effort. For Los Angeles to truly compete, Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt must rediscover their rhythm and become reliable contributors rather than passengers. The season is long, and redemption is always possible, but the Lakers cannot afford many more nights like this one.
