Why Warriors-Lakers was the quiet end of an incredible NBA era

The NBA's most familiar opening-night ritual felt different this year. When the Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday — the fourth time in six seasons the league had opened with that matchup — it felt less like a reunion and more like a farewell.

The rivalry that defined a decade, from the Warriors' dynastic runs to LeBron James's years in purple and gold, has come to its end. James is gone from Los Angeles, opening the new season with the Philadelphia 76ers: 14 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in a win at New York. Warriors coach Steve Kerr summed up the mood: "Those Finals will live in the history of both franchises forever. That was an iconic era. This is a new Lakers team, and a new Warriors team."

And the Lakers wasted no time showing what the new team looks like. Austin Reaves, the longest-tenured Laker after six seasons and a fresh four-year, $180 million contract, has watched Luka Doncic seize the leading role. Doncic took out a full-page ad in the Los Angeles Times, offered fans free parking and bike rides to the arena, and told the crowd before tipoff it was "the start of something new." He backed it up with 28 points, including a half-court buzzer-beater to close the first half.

Walker Kessler was flawless from the field, going 12-for-12, as the Lakers ran the Warriors off the floor. An era ended without a coronation or a ceremony — quietly, on an ordinary night in October.