Despite a 2/17 3-pointer to start the match, the Warriors took the lead by causing five turnovers from the Lakers and thanks to a Gary Payton II in the oven and in the mill (17-10). Austin Reaves (16 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds) and neo-Laker Luke Kennard (10 points) wake up their team with an 8-0, but, after more lost balls, Golden State feasts on the offensive rebound to take the lead at the end of the first quarter (21-20).
However, it was the Warriors’ turn to waste balls, and LeBron James seized the opportunity to give Los Angeles the advantage (29-27).
JJ Redick’s men switch to zone defense, but their rotations are approximate. Golden State then found a bit of skill and Pat Spencer (14 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds), Moses Moody (25 points) as well as Brandin Podziemski (14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists) made the opposing defense pay. It is also a buzzer-beater from Pat Spencer above LeBron James which gives the Warriors the smallest advantage at the break (42-41).
LeBron James puts the Lakers in orbit
After returning from the locker room, the King took matters into his own hands: he scored 12 points in less than three minutes and LA took a nine-point lead (53-44)! Stunned, the Warriors try to react by still abusing the long shot, but Jarred Vanderbilt (13 points, 8 rebounds) and Marcus Smart (15 points) do not release the pressure (70-59). An aggressive Austin Reaves increases the gap to +12, but Golden State hangs on. Two 3-point shots from Moses Moody limit the damage before the last quarter (76-71).
Every time the Warriors show up, Rui Hachimura (18 points) scores an important basket to keep them at bay (86-77). As in Phoenix, Steve Kerr’s men didn’t give up and managed to get back together. Four defensive stops and three 3-pointers from Pat Spencer, Draymond Green (9 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds) and Gui Santos (15 points, 8 rebounds) reduced the gap to one unit (89-88).
In the wake of Austin Reaves and the skill of Luke Kennard, the Lakers inflicted a 9-0 on their opponents in two minutes to regain a twelve-step lead (100-88). This time, the Warriors are indeed knocked out, and Los Angeles is heading towards a deserved victory.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– The Lakers still undefeated when they lead after three quarters. In the tough at halftime, the Lakers took control of the match in the third quarter thanks to 12 points from LeBron James in three minutes but also better management of lost balls (13 in the first half, 3 in the third quarter). They scored 38 points in this period and when the Lakers were ahead after 36 minutes of play, they were 23 wins for 0 losses.
– Free throws make the difference. By dominating the offensive rebound and causing 22 loose balls from the Lakers, the Warriors finished the game with 23 more attempts than their opponents. Unfortunately for them, they only scored 42% of their shots and 27% of their 51 3-pointers. The Lakers made up for this deficit by going for 30 free throws, 19 more than Golden State, to make the difference.
– Golden State’s second knives are not enough. Still deprived of Stephen Curry, who should be absent until the All-Star Game, the Warriors continue to struggle to score points. Despite six players with 9 points or more, this is the third game in a row where they have not exceeded 100 points (94, 97, 99).
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
date: 2026-02-08 05:29:00
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