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Top 25 NBA players for 2025-26 include Jokic, SGA and Giannis

USA TODAY Sports asked its top writers and reporters to rank the top 25 NBA players heading into the 2025-26 season and this is their consensus list.

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Deandre Ayton and the Los Angeles Lakers fell short in a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center on Sunday, Oct. 5. 

The Lakers did not have several of their star players, including LeBron James and Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves in uniform for the game. It was the second game James and Doncic sat out. Reaves did play in the preseason opener on Friday.

Gabe Vincent led the Lakers in scoring with 16 points and five assists against Golden State.

The Warriors featured several of their star players for their preseason opener. Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green all played at least 14 minutes in the first half.

The trio combined for 25 points. Moses Moody was the leading scorer with 19 points after 15 minutes of action.

The Warriors scored just nine points in the fourth quarter but held on to beat the Lakers after scoring 40 in the third quarter.

Moses Moody leads the Warriors through three quarters with 19 points and an assist in 15 minutes of play. Buddy Hield had 11 points, three rebounds and two assists in 18 minutes of play.

Gabe Vincent remains the leading scorer for the Lakers with 16 points and five assists in 19 minutes of play. Dalton Knecht had 10 points, three assists and three rebounds in 23 minutes of play.

Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green played at least 15 minutes in the first half against the Lakers.

Warriors guard Stephen Curry shot 5-for-7 from the field for 14 points in 15 minutes of play. Curry was also 3-for-5 from the 3-point line.

Gabe Vincent led the Lakers in the first half with 16 points and five assists in 14 minutes of play.

The Warriors continue to roll with their star-studded lineup throughout the first quarter. The Warriors lead the Lakers 24-15 with 3:55 left in the opening period. Golden State would finish out the quarter with the lead.

Jimmy Butler makes the free-throw to even the game at 11 with 8:33 left in the first quarter.

Draymond misses a layup attempt on the Warriors’ next possession but manages to tip the ball in immediately for the second chance points. The Warriors lead 13-11 in the middle of the first quarter.

Al Horford checked in for the Warriors with 8:38 left in the first quarter.

The Lakers start fast and build an early 7-2 lead with several of Golden State’s star players in the lineup. The Warriors respond well to close the game with Moses Moody hitting a three-point shot to make it a one-point game.

What time is Lakers vs. Warriors?

The Los Angeles Lakers will travel to play the Golden State Warriors in a preseason game at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. The game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.

How to watch Warriors vs. LakersTime:  8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PTLocation: Chase Center(San Francisco, California)TV: ESPNStream: Fubo, WatchESPN

The Lakers’ starting lineup will feature Jarred Vanderbilt, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and Gabe Vincent.

The Warriors will have a star-studded lineup to start the preseason with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green expected to play. Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski will round out the starting lineup for Golden State.

Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart are among the players ruled out for tonight’s game. While LeBron did not play, he was at the game and on the bench.