Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is fired up after scoring a three point shot in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Feb 22, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (28-26), playing their first game after the All-Star break, hosted the Los Angeles Lakers (30-27) Thursday night at the Chase Center. The Lakers’ LeBron James would not be in the lineup due to an ankle injury. The Warriors would come away with a 128-110 win at Chase Center in San Francisco led by the Warriors guard Stephen Curry with 32 points.

The Warriors still had to deal with the Lakers’ Anthony Davis. Davis has been a force on defense for the Lakers this year. The Warriors knew they had to have good ball movement to thwart Davis trying to protect the rim against the Warriors potent offense.

The Warriors wanted to avenge the one-point loss to the Lakers on January 27th. The Akers won a double-overtime thriller 145-144. In that game, the Lakers won at the free-throw line. The Lakers had 43 free throws, and the Warriors had 16. The Lakers made 36, and the Warriors 11.

The Warriors’ head coach, Steve Kerr, told his team they must stop committing fouls and turning the ball over. The Warriors did what Kerr wanted. The Lakers had 21 free throws in the game. They made 14. The Warriors had eight turnovers in the first half but only one in the second half. The Warriors played well on both ends of the court as they cruised to victory. It was the Warriors’ ninth win in their last eleven games. 

The Warriors started the game running up and down the court. Warriors guard Curry tallied 16 points and connected on four threes in the first period. The Lakers’ Davis provided the offense for LA. The Warriors won the quarter 31-28.

The Lakers took the lead early in the second period. Neither team could pull away. The Lakers led 50-49 when the momentum shifted to the Warriors. Jonathan Kuminga knocked down a three to give the Warriors a 52-51 lead. Andrew Wiggins and Brandin Podziemski each hit a three, and the Warriors led by six, 57-51.

Curry made a three and a two-pointer to up the lead to 65-54. Wiggins scored a bucket as the buzzer sounded to put the Warriors ahead, 67-54, at the end of the first half. Curry led the team with 25 points. It was the second-highest point in the first half for Curry in his career.

Trace Jackson-Davis was the scoring story in the second quarter. Coming off the bench, Jackson-Davis recorded 13 points to help the Warriors have the lead at the end of the first half. Davis paced the Lakers with 15 points.

The Warriors continued to play well in the second half. The Warriors increased the lead to 17, 86-69. The Lakers made a 7-0 run to trail by nine, 89-80. The Warriors did not wilt. The Warriors answered the challenge and finished the third quarter with the lead, 98-82.

The Lakers’ point guard, D’Angelo Russell, made a couple of three-pointers early in the fourth quarter. Wiggins responded by scoring nine points to kill the Lakers’ threat. The Warriors cruised to victory 128-110.

Game Notes: The Warriors won for the ninth time in their last eleven games. They are now 28-26. The Lakers dropped to 30-27. The Warriors are 1-1 with LA this season. The Warriors meet the Lakers two more times. Both games will be in LA. 

Curry led the Warriors with 32 points, eight assists, and six threes. Curry was plus 25 when he was on the court.

Wiggins had 20 points, and he connected twice from downtown. Rookie Podzienski has ten points and nine rebounds. Jackson-Davis finished the game with 17 points and five boards. Kuminga had 12. 

The Warriors shot 46.7% from the floor. They made 16 threes in 41 tries. The Warriors recorded 32 assists on 50 made baskets. They outrebounded the taller Lakers 60-51. 

Davis had a double-double with 27 points and 15 rebounds. Russell ad 18, Austin Reaves 16, and Taurean Prince 12. The Warriors held Rui Hachimura to eight points. Hachimura has killed the Warriors many times over the last two years. The Warriors made sure Hachimura was not a factor Thursday night.

The Warriors play again Friday night. The Warriors will host the Charlotte Hornets at the Chase Center. The game will start at 7 pm.