Quick Recap: Warriors knock out Lakers in overtime 127-123

The world champion Golden State Warriors survived a brilliant game from the Los Angeles Lakers, 127 to 123.

Four quarters weren’t enough to settle this game, as Stephen Curry had to shake off a debilitating hand injury to stave off the hungry Pacific Division rival in overtime.

First Quarter

This quarter was...a “frowner”! What’s a frowner? That’s when your team is winning the game but your eyebrows stay furrowed because you’re frustrated with the overall shoddy execution. The Dubs had five turnovers in the first four minutes to start the game. They would finish with seven turnovers for the period.

The champs also had 10 assists, shot 62% from the field, and completely shackled the Lakers defensively. That’s pretty damn good.

*slowly caresses last season’s Larry O’Brien trophy* Meh.

Warriors 30, Lakers 20

Second Quarter

Kevon Looney was quite active early on in the quarter. It seemed like he was always a step quicker than the Lakers bigs, and his energy was inspiring. Unfortunately, it seemed to only inspire the L.A.. The Warriors couldn’t buy a bucket, and the young Lakers patiently kept pace. Curry’s heavily bandaged hand cuffed him early, as his shot looked dead and his handle looked suspect.

Curry would end the half 3-of-10 from the field, with all three buckets coming from his left hand. Then again, he did give Lonzo Ball the “One-Handed Business” on this play.

Kevin Durant was the only Dub in double figures after two quarters with 13 points. The Dubs would only shoot 45% for the half, while the Lakers shot 53%. The Lakers outworked the champs early with intelligent, fundamental basketball.

Great job, Luke...(as in Luke Walton, the guy who coached most of our 73 win regular season, and current Laker head coach).

Lakers 54, Warriors 50

Third Quarter

There was a surreal moment when LaVar Ball’s prophetic swag began to cast its shadow over the game: his son Lonzo singlehandedly ripped off an 8-0 run.

I thought everyone said he was timid and couldn’t shoot! Anyways, the Warriors kept up the sloppy turnovers and the Lakers kept taking advantage. Even though the champs lit up L.A. for 34 points in the quarter, Walton’s scrappy team scored 30 of their own.

Warriors 84, Lakers 84

Fourth Quarter

This was a see-saw, heavyweight battle down the stretch. Walton’s bunch looked cool, calm, and collected despite the Warriors repeated attempts to ignite. Every time the Dubs got up two or three baskets, the Lakers would keep chase and close the gap.

There was a sequence with under two minutes to go when Curry isolated Randle and shook him loose for a three point attempt. The shot harmlessly airballed to the floor, and it was apparent to everyone in the building that Curry’s injury was a real problem.

Fortunately, Draymond Green came up with a few heroic defensive plays down the stretch to push the ice cold shooting Dubs into overtime.

Warriors 109, Lakers 109

Overtime in Los Angeles, baby!

Overtime

Curry then decided, “Enough”. He sniped in back to back threes to open the bonus period, and had the audacity to jog away while the second was in mid flight.

Durant, Ingram, and Curry traded highlights down the stretch. Then, with a chance to put the team up three in the finals seconds, Curry inexplicably missed a free throw. Green shockingly muscled his way to a tap out that Andre Iguodala scrambled to recover. Our super-sub shoveled the rebound back to Curry, and he finally closed the game out at the line.

Escape from L.A.

This game was wild! There were so many highlights and lowlights as the teams traded buckets down the stretch. Thankfully, the champs survived. Durant had 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Curry added 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. Klay Thompson chipped in another 20 points and Green barely missed a triple double with his statline of 15-11-9 with 4 steals. The Warriors shot 50% for the game, but had 22 turnovers.

It always feels good to beat the Lakers, amirite? Ingram had 32 points, Ball had 15 with 10 assists, and the SoCal team showed off some serious potential.

22 turnovers is never a good look, but a win always is. Whaddya say, Dub Nation?