SAN FRANCISCO — The Lakers really needed a win on Saturday night.
This was clear, especially after their tough loss against the Suns earlier in the week. Even though the Warriors were missing key players like Stephen Curry and Kristaps Porzingis, it was a reminder that the Lakers couldn’t afford to take any team lightly.
From the opening tip, the Lakers were all business, dominating the game for a decisive 129-101 win against the Warriors at Chase Center.
They came in with a sense of urgency.
It felt focused…
And, well, crisp.
Unlike in their previous games, this was the energy they brought throughout.
Leading 65-47 at halftime, the Lakers maintained that momentum, even stretching their lead to 32 points in the fourth quarter.
Their top three players set a strong tone. Luka Doncic contributed 26 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds, while LeBron James added 22 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds, constantly applying pressure on Golden State’s defense with their scoring and playmaking.
They accounted for 8-of-19 on three-pointers, and as a team, the Lakers shot 46.3 percent (19-of-41) from beyond the arc.
Austin Reeves returned to form effectively, scoring 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting in just 28 minutes. Meanwhile, Luke Kennard hit 16 points with 6-of-10 shooting (including 4-of-7 from three), his best outing as a Laker, and Jake LaRavia added another 15 points (6-of-10 shooting, 3-of-6 from three).
What It Means
With this victory, the Lakers ended their three-game losing streak, dodging what could’ve been their worst stretch of the season. They now sit at 35 wins and 24 losses, which keeps them safely above .500 by at least 10 games.
Turning Point
Honestly, it was when the Lakers stepped into the Chase Center. They seized control quickly, racing out to a 23-11 lead and never looking back.
MVP: LeBron James
James started strong, hitting his first four three-pointers, finding a rhythm he hadn’t had throughout most of February. But he missed his last two attempts. Interestingly, he’d been shooting just 21.3 percent (10 for 47) from three prior to this game.
Game Status: 7
The Lakers’ focus was further highlighted by their ball security. Doncic, James, and Reeves combined for only seven turnovers, significantly lower than their average of 10.4 leading into the game.
James was responsible for most of those, with four turnovers on the night.
To the Next
Next up, the Lakers head back to Southern California for another matchup. They’re set to face the Kings at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday night.
As for Rui Hachimura, it was still unclear what his status would be going forward. Coach JJ Redick mentioned before the game that Hachimura was feeling unwell and missed the contest against the Warriors for the second year running.
