Los Angeles Lakers get their National Basketball Association championship rings

Only 72 days since they defeated the Miami Heat in the bubble at Lake Buena VIsta, Fla., for the National Basketball Association championship, the Los Angeles Lakers’ record-tying 17th title was greeted by Tuesday night‘s ring ceremony before limited attendance, but otherwise it was the rival Clippers starting off in quest of bragging rights by leading from the start and posting a 116-109 win at the Staples Center.

Elsewhere in the other opening night 3,000 miles away at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the new-look Nets got behind the long-awaited debut of Kevin Durant after missing last season from surgery, and the return of Kyrie Irving from shoulder surgery to welcome the Golden State Warriors with a resounding 125-99, setback as they, too, led from the opening tap, and they, too, did it with almost empty fans in the stands.

The Lakers have now won as many championships as the Boston Celtics while the Clippers have never even gained the NBA finals, losing again last year in the West semifinals. And when the season ended, they let head coach Doc Rivers go and replaced him with assistant Tyronn Lue, former head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Rivers is now in the same role with the Philadelphia 76ers, and Lue came away with the franchise’s second-straight opening night win over the Lakers.

In Brooklyn, it was a long way from home for Golden State, but for the Nets the only thing missing were fans, as four starters returned from last year’s team that made the playoffs from the bubble at Disney World in Lake Buena VIsta, and now with Durant and Irving in the lineup, it showed its depth, but the new one-two punch of Irving and Durant combined for 48 points, 26 and the game-high for sharpshooting Irving and 22 for Durant, who appears back in form after recovering from knee injuries.

It was also the head coaching debut of Hall of Fame guard Steve Nash, and he did just fine with assistance from a well-regarded new staff. Durant hit his first four shots on short jumpers and Irving picked up back-to-back driving layups and handed out the same number of assists as Brooklyn carted off a 40-25 lead after one quarter, increased it to 63-45 at halftime, and 99-71 after three quarters.

“For someone who we figure is at about 90 percent, Kevin looked just fine,” Nash said. “So did Irving, and so did anyone else we put on the court. We have a talented group of returnees who blend right in.”

Such was the case for Caris LeVert, at 6-foot-7 one of last year’s most versatile players who tossed in 20 points, assisted five times, and 6-6 guard/forward Joe Harris added 10 points, handed out five assists, and came away with four steals. The Nets led by as many as 38  points and did a good job on the defensive end by forcing shots from Stephen Curry and making only 7 of 21 attempts, although he did finish with 20 points, dished out five assists, and was 4-for-4 from the foul line.

The Warriors, trying to return to their shortened dynasty, were without starting forward Draymond Green, who stayed behind with a sore right foot, but started 6-11 rookie James Wiseman, the second pick in the college draft, and he responded with 19 points on 7 of 13 tries from the field, brought down six rebounds, but converted only 4 of 8 foul shots. Andrew Wiggins contributed 13 points.

“They did a number on us tonight,” said Golden State head coach Steve Kerr, whose team is trying to bounce back from a league-low 15 games. “But I complement Steve Nash on how he handled things, and it looks like he has a well-rounded team.”

Kerr’s team converted 15 of 23 freebies, and Brooklyn made 26 of 32 as Durant was perfect, 7-fot-7,.and the Nets led in rebounds, 47-37. In 3s, it was Brooklyn with 15 for 35 and Golden State with 10 for 33. Irving was good on 4 of 7 from long range, and LeVert 3 of 5. As for Curry, he tossed up 16 3s and five went in.

On the West Coast, the Clippers did not come out for the ring ceremony, but showed its distaste with a quick 9-0 run and upped it to a 39-19 advantage after one quarter. But the Lakers, still smarting from their newly earned rings, answered back from the hangover in the second quarter by cutting the gap to 56-54 at halftime. But back came the other LA as it increased its lead to 89-78 heading into the fourth quarter, and then held off a late run by the defending champions.

It was Paul George who paved the way for Lue’s team with the game-high 33 points, with 26 coming in the second half. and when the Lakers made a late run, he turned in 11 fourth-quarter points. George shot an awesome 13 for 18 from the floor, while Kawhi Leonard added 26 points, and newcomer Serge Ibaka tossed in 15. George also pulled down the game-high 11 boards and Leonard was good for six assists and nine rebounds.

The Lakers sent in newcomers Montrezel Harrell and Dennis Schroder, with Harrell bringing down 10 rebounds and scoring 17 points, and Schroder c ontributing 14 points and a dozen boards. Then there was LeBron James with his team-high 22 points and Anthony Davis, the other half of the one-two punch, tossed in 18.

“I was happy with our play,” said Lue. “We came out strong, showed lots of confidence, and had good balance. Hopefully, we can keep it going.”

The pre-game ceremony was brief and strange without cheering fans, but the 11 returning players eagerly picked up their massive new pieces of jewelry. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss promised to hold another ceremony when fans are allowed back in for games.