Photo credit: @warriors

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Warriors had little trouble blowing out the Lakers 131-111 Monday night at the Staples Center. The Lakers, without LeBron James, who is recovering from a groin injury and Lonzo Ball, out 4 to 6 weeks with a grade 3 ankle sprain, were no match for the Warriors.  The Warriors have been playing well and are looking like the Warriors of the past four seasons as they are starting to blow out opponents. They also avenged a loss to the Lakers on Christmas day in Oakland. The Warriors won their eighth in a row and tenth in the last 11 games. The Lakers lost for the fourth time in the last six games.

With the game tied at 18, the Warriors went on a 7-0 run to go up 25-18. The Warriors finished the first quarter leading 29-24. Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 11 points. The Warriors increased the lead to 10 at the end of the first half 65-55. Thompson finished the first 24 minutes of play with 21 points. He was 9-for-11 from the floor, and he made all three of his 3-point shots. Durant had 10, Curry 8, and DeMarcus Cousins 7. Brandon Ingram led the Lakers with 13. Kyle Kuzma had 11, Michael Beasley 8, and Ivaca Zunac 8.

The Warriors broke open the game in the third quarter. They outscored the Lakers 45-25. Thompson connected on 7 three-point shots and set an NBA record by making his first ten 3-point shots in a row. He missed on his 11th try. Thompson left the game near the end of the third quarter, and he did not play in the fourth period. The Warriors finished the third quarter with a 30-point lead 110-80. Durant, Curry, Thompson, and Draymond Green sat out the fourth quarter. Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr left Cousins in the game to get some more playing time, and he finished the night with 8 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. He saw 21 minutes of action before exiting about halfway through the final quarter. The Lakers’ bench outscored the Warriors 31-20, but it was not enough to overcome a 30-point deficit.

Game Notes and Stats: With the win, the Warriors are now 33-14. The Lakers drop to 25-23. Klay finished with 44 points. He was 17-20 from the floor and made 10 three-point shots in 11 tries. KD had 20, Steph Curry a double-double with 11 points and 12 assists. The Warriors’ bench players also contributed to the win. Jonas Jerebko had 9, Alonzo McKinnie 8, Kevon Looney 8, and Andre Iguodala 6.

Ivaca Zubac led the Lakers with 18. Ingram had 17, Kyle Kuzma 16, Michael Beasley,15. JaVale McGee, who played and won two championship rings with the Warriors, contributed 10 points in a losing effort for the Lakers.

Up Next: The Warriors travel to Washington, DC to face the Wizards Thursday night. Game time will be at 5 pm. The Wizards are 20-26 so far this season.