After a dominant defensive half to open the game, the Golden State Warriors went into halftime with a 13 point lead over the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference play-in game. However, a nightmare third quarter featuring a flurry of turnovers opened the door for a Lakers’ comeback.
Just 15 seconds into the final frame, the Lakers tied the game to set up a memorable finish in a race to the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference. After Steph Curry and LeBron James traded back and forth haymakers down the stretch, it was the 17-year veteran who had the final word.
With the shot clock ticking away and the game tied at 100, James pulled up from way beyond the arc to drill a clutch deep 3-pointer with 60 seconds left in the contest. The Warriors had no answer, dropping the play-in battle to the Lakers, 103-100.
James finished the game with 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting with 11 rebounds and 10 assists in 34 minutes. Sixteen of James’ points came during the Lakers’ second-half comeback.
Curry led the Warriors with a game-high 37 points on 12-of-23 shooting from the field and 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. Curry added seven rebounds and three assists in 40 minutes. However, Curry was loose with the basketball, recording six turnovers against the Lakers.
Third Quarter
After building a first-half lead behind Draymond Green’s defense and a buzzer-beater from Curry, the Warriors looked on their way to the No. 7 seed. Yet, the Warriors’ lead began to unravel in the third quarter.
While James, Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder combined for 22 points in the third, Golden State’s mistakes helped lead the way for a Lakers comeback.
With only five turnovers in the first half, the Warriors turned it over eight times in the third quarter alone. After the third quarter, the Warriors’ advantage was cut down to just two points.
Draymond Green
Although Green was quiet as a scorer, recording only two points on 0-of-5 shooting from the field, the three-time All-Star was all over the floor on the defensive side of the court.
Green made things difficult for Davis in the frontcourt, holding the All-Star forward to only five points on 2-of-12 shooting from the field in the first half.
The former Defensive Player of the Year finished the contest with three steals and three blocks in 41 minutes. Green tacked on nine rebounds and eight assists against the Lakers.
What’s Next
Following Wednesday’s contest, the Lakers will claim the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, setting up a series with Chris Paul, Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns. The Warriors will now shift to the final game of the Western Conference play-in game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.
The winner between the Grizzlies and Warriors will clinch the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. The No. 8 seed will open a series against the No. 1 seed Utah Jazz on Sunday. Friday’s contest between the Warriors and Grizzlies will be a rematch of the final game of the 2020-21 regular season.
Behind 46 points from Steph Curry, the Warriors cruised past the Grizzlies, 113-101.
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