Stephen Curry’s Warriors have found a spark just in time for a huge Friday night challenge. Golden State beat Denver and Minnesota in its last two games, but the Lakers arrive with a 3-1 record and an offense that has raced out of the gates. As of Wednesday, Oct. 28, the Warriors are 2-3. This home game is a chance for Curry’s group to prove that its recent surge can stand up against one of the West’s hottest attacks.

Curry remains the center of Golden State’s story. At 38, he still twists defenses into knots with quick cuts and deep shots. He has scored 28.8 points per game in four appearances, even while playing fewer than 28 minutes a night. That shows how fast he can change a game. The Lakers must find him when he runs without the ball, because one open look can wake up the whole building.

Draymond Green will be Curry’s guide and guardrail. Green does not need to score often to matter. His 6.8 assists per game show how he spots cutters, sets sturdy screens, and keeps the ball moving. On defense, he directs traffic and tries to stop drives before they reach the basket. Golden State also needs help from its younger wings, especially with Jimmy Butler out while recovering from a knee injury. Rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg is questionable with a foot injury, so his status bears watching.

The Lakers bring a different kind of storm. Luka Doncic holds the ball, reads the floor, and chooses the right moment to score or pass. His 36 points and 8.3 assists per game have made him the engine of a Lakers offense scoring 128.3 points per game. Los Angeles shoots 55 percent from the field, which means its players have done an excellent job turning good looks into baskets.

Austin Reaves gives Doncic a sharp second option. Reaves can handle the ball, pull up from outside, or slip into the lane when defenders crowd Luka. Walker Kessler adds size near the rim. His 2.8 blocks per game show why Warriors drivers must be careful: a block is a shot stopped before it can reach the hoop. Kessler also gives Doncic a tall target for passes near the basket.

This matchup may hinge on the glass and the ball. Golden State grabs more rebounds than Los Angeles so far, 43.8 per game to 35.5, and extra rebounds can create extra shots. Yet the Warriors also give the ball away 17.4 times per game. Against a Lakers team that gets nearly 10 steals per contest, loose passes could quickly turn into fast breaks.

The Lakers fell to Portland in their most recent game, while the Warriors enter after back-to-back wins. Still, Los Angeles has shown more balance and cleaner shooting in this young season. Curry can tilt any game with a burst of threes, but Doncic, Reaves, and Kessler give the Lakers too many steady answers. Prediction: the Lakers win.

Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic Bring Early-Season Fire to Golden State