The Los Angeles Lakers have been struggling since the All-Star break, dropping three straight games with the last two coming in heartbreaking fashion.
They looked to get back in the win column on Saturday night when they traveled to take on the Golden State Warriors, who continue to be without Stephen Curry. The Lakers’ last two losses came against teams with injured stars too, but this time they were able to take care of business with an easy 129-101 win to end the skid.
The Lakers got off to a nice start with Marcus Smart and LeBron James hitting 3-pointers and then Austin Reaves driving for a layup to go up 10-2.
Golden State was ice cold early, but the Lakers were anything but as Luke Kennard, Austin Reaves and James all hit from deep to extend the lead to double digits at 33-20 at the end of the first quarter.
James and the Lakers continued to pour it on early in the second, getting the lead up to 20 with Luka Doncic on the bench. When Doncic did return, he got in on the action with a layup and an assist to James.
Eventually, the Warriors started to get going offensively and ripped off a 13-2 run to get back in it. That momentum was short-lived, however, as the Lakers got the lead back up to 65-47 going into the halftime locker room.
After a quiet first half by his standards, Doncic came alive to begin the third quarter with four triples in the first few minutes. The Lakers continued to pour it on with Reaves making a 3 and then Jake LaRavia finishing a crafty layup in transition.
The Lakers took a comfortable 99-72 lead into the fourth, seemingly on their way to an easy victory. They continued to pour it on as LaRavia connected from deep and Kennard continued his stellar night off the bench.
With the lead getting above 30 early in the fourth, the Lakers were able to rest their starters to get ready for Sunday night’s game. No one on the Lakers played more than 30 minutes in the dominant victory.
Five Lakers scored in double figures on the night with Doncic leading the way with 26 to celebrate his 27th birthday.
What’s next for the Lakers…
The Lakers will now return home and host the Sacramento Kings in the second night of a back-to-back on Sunday and then the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday.
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