National Basketball Association
Golden State 128, L.A. Lakers 121
When: 8:30 PM ET, Saturday, March 16, 2024
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
Officials: #27 Mitchell Ervin, #32 Marat Kogut, #16 David Guthrie
Attendance: 18997

Stephen Curry scored 31 points in his return from a three-game absence and Klay Thompson added 26 points as the visiting Golden State Warriors earned a 128-121 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.

Jonathan Kuminga scored 23 points, Andrew Wiggins had 16 and Draymond Green added six points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds to help the Warriors (35-31) pull a percentage point ahead of the Lakers (36-32). Both teams are in the final two spots for the play-in tournament in the Western Conference.

Golden State entered with three losses in its previous four games and went 1-2 while Curry was out with a right ankle sprain.

LeBron James scored 13 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter and D'Angelo Russell added 23 points and 13 assists for the Lakers. Anthony Davis did not play after the first quarter because of a left eye injury. His eye was brushed by the arm of Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis on a drive to the basket.

Rui Hachimura scored 14 points and Jaxson Hayes had 12 rebounds for Los Angeles, which lost consecutive games for the first time since late January and has gone 3-4 in March.

Davis had eight points and four rebounds as the Lakers took a 36-30 lead after one quarter. With more space to operate in the second quarter after Davis departed, the Warriors pushed in front 67-66 at halftime thanks to 21 first-half points off the bench from Thompson.

Golden State widened its lead to 102-93 after three quarters with Curry scoring 13 points in the period. The Lakers shot 39.1 percent from the floor in the third quarter.

Once trailing by 12 points in the fourth quarter, the Lakers pulled within 116-112 on a three-point play from Austin Reaves with 5:26 remaining. Curry and Green made consecutive layups to put the Warriors back up 120-112 with 4:37 left.

Both teams grew upset with three lengthy replay delays and multiple shot-clock malfunctions with just under two minutes remaining as the Warriors held a 124-117 lead. When play resumed, Curry stole the ball from James and Kuminga dunked to seal the victory for the Warriors.

Golden State improved to 2-1 against Los Angeles this season, with a final matchup scheduled for April 9 in L.A.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Golden State   L.A. Lakers
Stephen Curry 31 Scoring LeBron James 40
Draymond Green 13 Assists D'Angelo Russell 13
Draymond Green 12 Rebounds Jaxson Hayes 12
Stephen Curry 4 Free Throws Made LeBron James 7
Stephen Curry 2 Steals Anthony Davis 1
Trayce Jackson-Davis 2 Blocks Anthony Davis 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Golden State 128 52.6 14-34 12-15 38 45 4 3 7
L.A. Lakers 121 51.1 12-34 15-18 32 39 4 3 10
Upcoming Games
  • L.A. Lakers will play their next game at home against Atlanta. The Lakers have a W/L % of .444 after a win and .625 after a loss.
  • Golden State will play their next game at home against New York. The Warriors have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .562 after a loss.