FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Warriors - Game 60

FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Warriors – Game 60

Franchise Sports Media

Los Angeles Lakers (28-32) | Golden State Warriors (29-30)

 

The Los Angeles Lakers came out of the All-Star break focused, as they handled the Golden State Warriors with ease, defeating them 124-111.

Lakers vs Warriors pregame news.

The Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Stephen Curry-less Golden State Warriors for the first game coming out of the All-Star break. The Lakers defeated the Warriors 124-111 despite LeBron James struggling to produce. James totaled just 13 points on 5-for-20 from the field, along with 2-for-6 from beyond the arc. James’ saving grace was having nine rebounds and eight assists. It was also his lowest-scoring game since November 21st, 2021.

Anthony Davis also had an odd game, as he only attempted five shots, totaling 12 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks. 

Unfortunately for Laker fans, D’Angelo Russell was ruled out early in the game due to a right ankle sprain. Russell left the game in the first quarter after turning his ankle when he stepped on Donte DiVincenzo’s foot. Russell had two points, four boards, and three assists in his nine minutes. Chris Haynes reported that the x-rays were negative and that Russell wouldn’t require an MRI, but he’ll be day-to-day moving forward. It’s a considerable blow for a group looking to establish continuity.

Despite the injury, Russell remained confident in his squad, “Our team is stacked, so when guys aren’t playing their best, it allows other guys to step up.”

The Warriors, missing Curry and Andrew Wiggins, shot 38.1 percent from the field (40-for-105 FGs) and 28.6 percent from distance (14-for-49 3s). Without his splash brother, Klay Thompson still had 22 points; however, it was on 8-for-19 shooting from the field and 4-for-11 from 3.

The Lakers vs Warriors was a good game in the first half.

The Warriors had a 59-58 lead early in the third quarter after a jumper fell by Thompson before the Lakers went on a 21-7 run. The Warriors countered by getting within eight points before the Lakers broke it open again with a 26-6 burst.

Lakers vs Warriors second would see the Lakers depth outplay Golden State.

Turnovers were an issue early on, as every starter for the Lakers had registered a turnover by the end of the first quarter. This game had a playoff-like atmosphere, given the stakes for both sides, and neither could afford to make mistakes. Up 56-45 with 2:22 left in the first half, the Lakers allowed an 11-3 run that had the Warriors within three points at the half.

Malik Beasley, acquired from Utah as part of a three-team trade during the February 9th deadline, got off to a quick start with eight of the Lakers’ first 10 points and then had eight points in the third quarter when they broke the game open. Beasley erupted for 25 points total on 7-for-11 from 3, along with three rebounds and three steals. 

Beasley postgame said, “It can be any guy any night. We’re deep as a team. We got starters coming off the bench.”

However, when Beasley got into foul trouble (he had four total), Austin Reaves stepped up in his place. 

Reaves had 17 points while not missing a single shot (6-for-6 FGs, 1-for-1 3s, 4-for-4 FTs). He also had four assists, two rebounds, and two steals. Darvin Ham said Reaves is an “all-around fantastic basketball player” with a “very high IQ.”

Davis, postgame, on Reaves, “He can do it all. Nothing surprises me with Austin. He’s very talented.”

Did we see the emergence of Austin Reaves in last night’s Lakers vs Warriors game?

The Lakers are now 3-1 with their new group. They improved to 28-32. This was a huge win coming out of the All-Star break. Davis said the Lakers are “still figuring it out,” but the new group “looks really good” so far.

Some Lakers vs Warriors footnotes. 

Some of the other additions that the Lakers made at the deadline made their mark on this one, such as Rui Hachimura, who totaled 14 points on 5-for-9 shooting off the bench. Mo Bamba had 10 points on 2-for-4 shooting from 3, along with pulling in 13 rebounds as a reserve. 

Lonnie Walker IV has been overshadowed and overlooked since the trade deadline in terms of Ham’s rotation, but he made sure to keep himself in the minds of Laker fans as he had 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting from the field in just eight minutes of playing time.

“Great win against a great ball club. Our guys slowly but surely are getting more and more familiar with one another,”’ Ham told reporters postgame.

Lakers vs Warriors final score 124-111, Los Angeles.

The Lakers travel to Dallas to tale on Mavericks Sunday, Feb. 26th, at 12:30 p.m. PT. The game is on ABC.

 

– Jake Ideguchi-Furukawa – Franchise Sports Media

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