Stephen Curry made a triumphant return after missing three games due to injury, scoring 31 points, while Klay Thompson contributed 26 points as the Golden State Warriors secured a 128-121 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.
The win propelled the Warriors (35-31) slightly ahead of the Lakers (36-32) in the Western Conference standings, with both teams vying for spots in the play-in tournament.
Despite facing a Lakers team led by LeBron James, who scored 40 points, and D’Angelo Russell, who added 23 points and 13 assists, the Warriors held their ground. The Lakers suffered a setback when Anthony Davis exited the game early due to a left eye injury.
Golden State capitalized on Davis’ absence, with Thompson leading the charge with 21 first-half points off the bench. Curry continued to shine in the third quarter, scoring 13 points to help the Warriors build a nine-point lead heading into the final frame.
Although the Lakers mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to four points, the Warriors maintained their composure. Curry and Draymond Green combined for crucial baskets to extend Golden State’s lead once again.
The game was not without its share of frustrations, as both teams endured several replay delays and shot-clock malfunctions in the closing minutes. However, the Warriors managed to weather the storm, with Curry’s steal leading to a decisive dunk by Jonathan Kuminga to seal the victory.
With the win, the Warriors improved their record against the Lakers to 2-1 this season, setting the stage for an eagerly anticipated rematch in April.