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Golden State Warriors players opened the 2022-23 season by receiving their fourth championship ring in seven years, then ended it with a dominant 123-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Warriors’ pregame ceremony featured speeches from Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, a video commemorating their championship season and an appreciation of players from past championship teams.

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“This is a very special night,” Curry said. “From Game 6 of the 2019 Finals in Oakland to Game 6 of the 2022 Finals here at Chase Center, it’s been a long, long journey. It’s such an amazing honor to celebrate our fourth banner … here with y’all here tonight.”

Four different ring ceremonies in the last seven years 💍

The Warriors, ladies, and gentlemen.

One more for the thumb? 🤔

📸@NBA | @warriors pic.twitter.com/FkatCF45EO

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 19, 2022

On the court, Golden State’s effort to repeat as NBA champion got off to a strong start thanks to an unstoppable third quarter, as has been typical during the Warriors’ dynastic run. The Warriors outscored the Lakers 32-19 in the quarter, which featured a backbreaking 25-4 run from the 10:25 mark to when 1:49 remained in the quarter.

Curry, the reigning Finals MVP, led all players in scoring, with 33 points on a night when he struggled from deep, going 4-for-13 on 3-point attempts. Four Warriors, including Jordan Poole off the bench, scored in double figures. Poole’s seven assists matched Curry for the team high.

The Warriors dished 31 assists, far outpacing the Lakers’ 23.

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“I’m thrilled with the win,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “Ring night is never an easy game, and the first game of the season is usually filled with some nerves early on. We’re not where we need to be, but we took care of business.”

LeBron James led the Lakers with 31 points in a strong first game to kick off his 20th season. James added 14 rebounds and eight assists, and fellow star Anthony Davis poured in 27 points to go with six rebounds.

After the game, James lamented the Lakers’ lack of shooting.

“If you’re being completely honest, we’re not a team constructed of great shooting,” he said. “It’s not like, you know, we’re sitting here with a lot of lasers on our team. That doesn’t deter us from still trying to get great shots.”

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Russell Westbrook, who started at point guard for the Lakers, finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Backup guard Kendrick Nunn led all Lakers bench players with 13 points.

Offseason acquisition Patrick Beverley, who was expected to provide L.A. with a defensive jolt, started and played 25 minutes but scored only three points on five shots and picked up five fouls.

(Photo: Kyle Terada / USA Today)

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