Stephen Curry shone brightly in a blockbuster Western Conference clash on Thursday night, scoring 37 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a crucial 123-116 victory over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Curry, who had just come off a 52-point explosion against Memphis, once again demonstrated his scoring prowess, particularly with a decisive burst in the third quarter that helped the Warriors pull away from the Lakers. Brandin Podziemski also had a sensational night for Golden State, sinking eight of his ten three-point attempts en route to a 28-point performance, as the Warriors secured their fourth consecutive win.
The Lakers were led by the ageless LeBron James, who scored 33 points, while Austin Reaves contributed a spirited 31 points, including nine three-pointers in a frantic fourth-quarter comeback attempt.
“We’ve set a goal of trying to lift our level of play, preparing hopefully for a playoff series,” Curry told TNT television after the win. “We know every game matters down the stretch. The intensity has been crazy but that’s what you love – having something to play for is special.”
This victory propels the Warriors closer to an automatic playoff berth, placing them fifth in the Western Conference standings with a 45-31 record. The Lakers remain in fourth place at 46-30, just behind the Denver Nuggets who sit third at 47-30.
Grizzlies and Timberwolves Secure Important Wins in Playoff Race
The Warriors and Lakers are currently embroiled in a fierce six-way battle for the remaining automatic playoff spots in the Western Conference. Two other teams in this tight race, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Memphis Grizzlies, also secured important victories on Thursday.
The Grizzlies snapped a four-game losing streak thanks to a dramatic buzzer-beating shot from Ja Morant, securing a 110-108 road win against the Miami Heat. Morant led the charge for Memphis, scoring 30 points, with an impressive 27 of those coming in the second half. This win keeps the Grizzlies in sixth place in the West with a 45-32 record.
Morant attributed his second-half scoring surge to the hostile Miami crowd who booed him throughout the game. “The crowd booing me – they just woke me up for the second half,” Morant said. “It feels good to get back in the win column, we’ve just got to keep it rolling.”
In New York, the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame an injury scare to Anthony Edwards to secure a 105-90 victory against the Brooklyn Nets. Edwards had to be helped off the court in the second quarter after rolling his ankle, but he remarkably returned in the second half to finish with 28 points, ensuring the Timberwolves remain firmly in the playoff hunt.
Antetokounmpo’s Triple-Double Leads Bucks Past 76ers
In the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks stayed on track for the postseason with a 126-113 victory over the already eliminated Philadelphia 76ers. Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a dominant performance, recording an impressive triple-double with 35 points, 17 rebounds, and 20 assists. Seven Bucks players finished the game in double figures.
The Bucks’ head coach Doc Rivers had to leave the game late in the first half due to illness, with assistant coach Darvin Ham taking over for the remainder of the contest. “He just tapped me on the shoulder and said: ‘You got it from here man, my stomach is messed up,'” Ham explained afterwards. “Next man up, next men up. That’s why you build a good crew.” This win keeps Milwaukee in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings with a 42-34 record.
