Warriors Rout Lakers in Preseason Home Opener
The Golden State Warriors beat the Los Angeles Lakers 124-98 at Chase Center on October 6.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Basketball
Live Poll
Should local professional teams prioritize lineup experimentation over winning games during the preseason?
The Golden State Warriors dominated the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night to secure a 124-98 victory at Chase Center. The home team built a commanding 81-54 halftime lead that persisted throughout the contest.
Why it matters
This game provided an early look at how the roster functions with Draymond Green at center. The coaching staff is currently evaluating lineup rotations and player reliability as the preseason progresses.
The Warriors finished with 124 points against 98 for the Lakers, overcoming 23 turnovers during the match. Yaxel Lendeborg led scoring with 17 points, followed by 16 points each from Brandin Podziemski and Stephen Curry.
The players
Golden State Warriors
The local professional basketball team based at Chase Center.
Stephen Curry
Star guard for the Warriors who converted two four-point plays during the game.
Steve Kerr
The head coach of the Golden State Warriors.
Yaxel Lendeborg
A forward who led the team with 17 points.
The details
Head coach Steve Kerr utilized a lineup featuring Draymond Green at center and Yaxel Lendeborg at power forward, with the latter serving as a rebounder to bolster defensive coverage. While the team rarely reached deep into the shot clock, Brandon Williams committed five turnovers in 18 minutes. Kerr noted the potential for reduced playing time for Williams if those turnover issues persist.
Timeline
October 6, 2026: The Warriors played the Lakers in a preseason game.
Across the Bay
This game follows the established pattern of the NBA preseason rotation development cycle, where coaches test new lineup configurations. It marks an early data point for staff assessing defensive rebounding adjustments.
Fans heading to Chase Center for future games should account for typical game-day traffic around Mission Bay. Watch for upcoming preseason roster adjustments that may change the starting lineup before the regular season begins.
The takeaway
Pay attention to rotation shifts regarding players with high turnover rates in the coming weeks. Monitor team performance during upcoming preseason matchups to see how defensive rebounding strategies evolve.
Further reading
For more on the roster and local team developments, visit the San Francisco Basketball page.
Live Poll
Should local professional teams prioritize lineup experimentation over winning games during the preseason?
