That said, a 40-year-old LeBron James will miss the Lakers' opener against the Warriors. The four-time league MVP and four-time NBA champ is dealing with sciatica and is reportedly eying a mid-November return. James' early-season absence could set the stage for the beginning of a Dončić MVP campaign.

Jimmy Butler led the Golden State Warriors to a road win over the Los Angeles Lakers on opening night while the Oklahoma City Thunder outlasted the Houston Rockets on opening night.

The Warriors ran away with a 16-4 third-quarter run, eventually beating Luka Dončić (43 points) and the Lakers 119-109 to cap our opening night doubleheader.

The Thunder outlasted KD on ring night, while Luka and Steph battled in L.A. Here are the biggest takeaways from NBA opening night.