High Stakes and Big Performances in the Latest Lakers vs. Warriors Showdown
The Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers matchup never fails to deliver, and Thursday night’s game was no exception. With Stephen Curry and LeBron James leading their teams in a heated playoff race, this game had all the makings of a postseason thriller.
Golden State emerged victorious, defeating the Lakers 123-116, fueled by Curry’s 37-point performance and a breakout game from Brandin Podziemski, who drained a career-high eight three-pointers. The Lakers fought hard, with LeBron James scoring 33 points and Austin Reaves adding 31, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Golden State’s late-game execution.
The result could have playoff implications, as both teams jockey for seeding in the Western Conference standings.
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Standings Impact
- The Lakers (46-29) entered the game in third place in the Western Conference, just ahead of the Nuggets (47-30).
- The Warriors (44-31) were two games back, sitting in fifth place, looking to hold off teams like the Clippers and Timberwolves in the battle for a top-six seed.
Both teams have been dominant in crunch time since making major trade deadline moves:
- Lakers: 9-5 in clutch games
- Warriors: 8-2 in clutch games
This latest game reinforced how tight the race is in the NBA West standings as the 2025 NBA playoffs approach.
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Curry, Podziemski, and the Warriors Take Control
- Stephen Curry Dominates Again
Curry followed up his 52-point explosion against Memphis with another dominant outing, scoring 37 points on 4-of-11 three-point shooting.
- Brandin Podziemski’s Career Night
Podziemski was the X-factor, dropping 28 points and hitting eight three-pointers—his best shooting performance as a pro.
Key Contributions
- Jonathan Kuminga: 18 points, 9 rebounds.
- Jimmy Butler: A quieter night with 11 points, but still an important presence.
With Luka Dončić now in a Lakers uniform and Jimmy Butler joining Golden State, both teams have new weapons to throw into the mix ahead of the playoffs.
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Lakers Fight Back but Fall Short
Despite the loss, the Lakers put up a strong fight.
- LeBron James Continues to Defy Time
At 40 years old, LeBron led the Lakers with 33 points and nine assists, hitting big shots to keep L.A. in the game.
- Austin Reaves Heats Up
Reaves caught fire from deep, scoring 31 points on nine three-pointers.
- Luka Dončić Struggles from Deep
Doncic scored 19 points but missed all six of his three-point attempts, an uncharacteristic shooting night for the Lakers’ newest star.
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Key Moments: How the Warriors Sealed the Win
Late-Game Execution
With the Lakers trailing 105-99, Dončić hit a tough shot. But back-to-back three-pointers from Curry and Podziemski stretched the Warriors’ lead.
- Reaves answered with a clutch three to cut it to 121-116, but a Doncic foul on Curry sent Steph to the free-throw line, sealing the win.
Third Quarter Battle: LeBron vs. Curry
- LeBron scored 12 of his team’s 14 points in a solo run that brought the Lakers within eight.
- Curry responded by scoring 13 straight points, pushing the Warriors’ lead to double digits heading into the fourth quarter.
What’s Next? Lakers and Warriors Continue the Playoff Push
Upcoming Games
Both teams wrap up back-to-backs on Saturday:
- Warriors host the Denver Nuggets—a huge matchup with seeding implications.
- Lakers host the New Orleans Pelicans—another tough test in the crowded Western Conference race.
With just a few games left, every win counts as both teams aim to avoid the play-in tournament and secure top-six playoff spots.
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