Lakers Take a 2-1 Lead Against Champion Golden State Warriors

• NBA

In a thrilling match at the Staples Center, the Los Angeles Lakers dominated the reigning champion Golden State Warriors with a final score of 127-97. Despite a slow start in the first quarter, which saw the Warriors lead 30-23, the Lakers made a strong comeback to secure the victory.

Ugly but an Opportunity to Respond

Golden State's Klay Thompson was optimistic about their loss, stating, “As ugly as this was tonight, we have an opportunity to respond on Monday, so there’s no point in dwelling on it and hanging our head and getting discouraged.

We know how to respond. We’ve done it in our existence for 10 years here”. Meanwhile, Stephen Curry added, “You can’t get distracted by stuff you can’t control. As much as it’s frustrating, it’s the test that every team has to go through throughout the series, blocking out that stuff as much as we can.

We obviously know who we are and what we’re capable of, all the things we always say after a loss”.

Lakers' Dominance in Physical Game

The Lakers' star player, Anthony Davis, was the standout performer with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists.

Meanwhile, Curry top-scored for the Warriors with 23 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Lakers' coach Darvin Ham praised the team's performance, saying, “After that first quarter, guys just really turned it up.

They dialed up their competitiveness, and their communication was great. … We were just playing a really physical, forceful downhill game”. LeBron James also made a significant contribution with 21 points, eight rebounds, and assists in just over 32 minutes on the court.

Reflecting on his performance, James stated, “That’s just how the game was going. I didn’t want to force it. Just let the game come to me and make my imprint when needed”.

A Test on Every Possession

The next match between the Lakers and Warriors will take place in two days, with the Lakers hosting at the Staples Center once again.

James emphasized the importance of defense for the Lakers, saying, “We’re one of the best defensive teams in the league, if not the best. For us to reach our potential, we have to defend at a high level. Not one team in this league tests you more in that than Golden State, so we have to be alert for a test on every single possession”.

The Lakers' dominant performance against the reigning champion Golden State Warriors has set the stage for an exciting next match.