Draymond Jabs LeBron James' "Phil Jackson" Chair — Warriors Beat Lakers

Draymond Green taunted LeBron James after the Warriors’ 119-109 season-opening win, joking that James’ "old ass was over there in his Phil Jackson chair" as he sat out with sciatica — the first time LeBron has missed a season opener. The game mattered beyond the jest: Golden State held L.A. to 8-of-32 from three and forced 20 turnovers, while the Lakers’ role players combined for just 40 points even as a star poured in 43, 12 and nine. The result exposed depth issues for a Lakers unit counting on LeBron’s presence. Merlin senses both mischief and warning. LeBron is clearly treating the injury with care, targeting mid-November to return, while the Warriors opened with the rhythm of a team hungry for seeding and statements. This rivalry cools now, but the ember remains.