In only their second game as a whole unit after the flurry of trades made before the Feb. 9 trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers routed the Golden State Warriors, 124-111, on Thursday.
Yes, Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins were out for Golden State, but the Lakers didn’t have standout point guard D’Angelo Russell, one of their newcomers, for most of the contest after he sustained a sprained ankle.
After the Warriors came to within one, 59-58, early in the third quarter, L.A., sans Russell, blew them out of the water and built a big lead, even though LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined for just 25 points.
There seems to be a new positive energy gathering around the Lakers and their fans, and it was evident on Twitter during and after the game.