SAN FRANCISCO — Stephen Curry scored 31 points and ignited a historic turnaround Friday night as the Golden State Warriors rallied from a 25-point deficit to defeat Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers 112-95 at Chase Center.
Doncic dominated the opening frame, scoring 21 points in the first quarter to power Los Angeles to a 38-15 advantage. An Austin Reaves free throw early in the second quarter stretched the Lakers’ lead to 40-15 before Golden State mounted a fierce response, Warriors Wire reported.
The Warriors matched the Lakers with their own 38-15 surge in the second quarter to tie the score at 53 by halftime. According to USA TODAY Sports, Golden State became the first NBA team in the shot-clock era, which began in the 1954-55 season, to trail by at least 23 points after the opening period and pull even before the break.
Curry takes control in the second half
Curry helped complete the shift in momentum during the third quarter, scoring 17 of his points in the second half. With Golden State trailing by nine midway through the third frame, Curry shook Doncic with a flurry of dribbles and stepbacks on the left wing, sending the Lakers star to the floor before sinking a 3-pointer with 6:21 remaining.
“I didn’t expect it to get that nasty, but it was one of those you gotta kind of keep your composure,” Curry said on the Prime postgame broadcast. “I’m just having fun. Those moments, especially at this stage of your career, you’re just appreciative of the ability to keep playing at this level.”
Curry sank eight 3-pointers on 14 attempts from beyond the arc. Brandin Podziemski contributed 21 points, while Golden State’s bench dominated Los Angeles reserves by a 50-7 margin, according to Warriors Wire. De’Anthony Melton provided 16 points off the bench, including a 13-point second-quarter burst that swung the game.
Rookie Lendeborg gets support after difficult night
The matchup served as the second chapter in a budding rivalry between Doncic and Golden State rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg. Lendeborg, who had previously drawn attention for critical remarks about Doncic following his Oct. 21 debut, arrived at the arena Friday in a Michael Myers costume, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The rookie endured a rough evening, collecting five first-half turnovers and eventually fouling out in the fourth quarter. News reports differed on his exact scoring total, with the San Francisco Chronicle and ClutchPoints reporting Lendeborg finished with six points, while Warriors Wire listed him with four. Doncic countered with 37 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 37 minutes, but Golden State’s defense held him to 5-of-15 shooting over the final three quarters.
Curry acknowledged afterward that the veteran roster sought to back Lendeborg while remaining focused on the game plan. “That’s part of it, for sure,” Curry told reporters, as quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle. “Have your brother’s back. But it’s also, and even his role in it — we gotta win the game. And what that means is, just, keep making Luka’s life as hard as possible.”
The victory extended Golden State’s winning streak to three games, leveling its record at 3-3 following a 0-3 start to the season. The Lakers dropped to 4-2. The Warriors will remain at home to host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday afternoon.
