Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
Michael Owens/Getty Images
Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
LOS ANGELES – Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler know a thing or two about powering postseason victories.
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Said Curry on Thursday after the Golden State Warriors beat the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena: “We love seeing those guys play confidently, make plays, shoot the ball and be aggressive. Have a presence on defense.”
Curry scored a game-high 37 points and garnered chants of “MVP” in the fourth quarter of a 123-116 victory that capped a six-game, 14-day trip. The Warriors (45-31) remain fifth in the Western Conference after enduring 33 points, five rebounds, and nine assists from longtime nemesis LeBron James and 31 points from Austin Reaves. A lively crowd included soccer legend David Beckham, boxing great Floyd Mayweather, recording artist Young Thug and the U.S. women’s national soccer team.
Green keyed a spirited defensive effort, stripping Lakers star guard Luka Doncic (19 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, 6-of-17 shooting) in the final minute after helping hold fourth-place Los Angeles to 35.7% first-half shooting. Butler played through an ailing left forearm to steady Golden State’s cohesive defense and convert a timely fourth-quarter 3-pointer, contested in the corner with James in his face.
Podziemski posted 28 points on the strength of a career-high eight 3-pointers (in 10 shots from distance), adding eight rebounds, six assists and beating the first-half buzzer from 34 feet. Back in the lineup after missing Tuesday’s victory over the Memphis Grizzlies with a pelvic contusion, Kuminga totaled 18 points, nine rebounds and four steals – closing with Curry, Podziemski, Butler and Green.
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Moses Moody added 13 points, starting again in Golden State’s unbeaten (13-0) small-ball lineup.
“They are key pieces to what we’re trying to do right now,” Green said, referencing the 22-year-old trio of Podziemski, Kuminga and Moody.
Moody and Kuminga have sparse playoff experience. Podziemski hasn’t played in a playoff game.
“Getting these guys these games right now that mean something and seeing them step up the way they are is huge. This is the growth that you hope you have from second- and third- and fourth-year guys, and they’re doing it.”
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The Warriors finish their trip 4-2, first falling to the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat – without Curry amid his pelvic contusion – before crescendoing into victories over the New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs that doubled as tune-ups for the sixth-place Grizzlies and Lakers.
The final two matchups had seeding implications and crowds befitting postseason play. They also offered the Warriors a look at healthy, playoff-caliber competition.
Podziemski made six first-half triples, catching, shooting and cutting with conviction into the openings Curry helped form with his dribble penetration and off-ball movement. Kuminga also attacked in rhythm, deploying his measure his explosiveness and force. When lanes were open, he attacked the basket. When lanes were closed, he passed, screened or cut. Defensively he guarded across the perimeter, effectively matching against James, Doncic and Reaves.
The Warriors won his minutes by a team-high nine. He was a pick-and-roll partner for Curry down the stretch. He also had two power fourth-quarter finishes.
“I liked that he played the role that we really needed for him,” head coach Steve Kerr said, highlighting his rebounding and ball security. He didn’t commit a turnover, operating offensively with rhythm and flow. “Just played a really, really solid game. Did exactly what we needed to help us win the game.”
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Added Curry: “If we’re going to win at the highest level, (Kuminga) has to be a part of it.”
The Warriors led 60-47 at halftime and nursed a double-digit lead for much of the second half. A flurry of triples from Reaves and James pulled the Lakers (46-30) within five with 34.6 seconds to play. To put the finishing touches on a 25-point second half, Curry followed with two free throws, drawing “MVP” chants as he improved to 30-26 against James.
Ten years after they first faced off in the NBA Finals, their respective teams are playing “meaningful basketball.” Said Curry: “I don’t know how far we can climb, but we just want to guarantee a playoff series. We’ve got work to do, but we’re in good shape.”
The Warriors return Friday to Chase Center to play the third-place Denver Nuggets.
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Briefly: Curry scored 52 against Memphis, giving him 89 points in a two-game span for the eighth-most he’s scored in back-to-back games. His best is 97. … Curry was 13 of 14 from the free-throw line, establishing a season-high in free throws and attempts. … Curry and Podziemski made a team-high 21 triples apiece on the trip. … The Warriors are 40-4 when leading after three quarters.
Reach Sam Gordon: [email protected]
