LOS ANGELES–Northern California met Southern California, Nick Young met his former team and Steph Curry met Lonzo Ball in the Warriors’ 127-123 overtime victory on Wednesday night at Staples Center
The back-and-forth matchup carried the intensity and atmosphere of an NBA Finals game, and after a late charge from Los Angeles, the Warriors managed to put the Lakers away to start their six-game road trip.
With the game tied 109-109, Curry put the Warriors ahead with back-to-back three-pointers to start overtime. The Warriors added to their lead and held on as the Lakers thundered back to fall within four points of stealing a win.
Before the game, Lakers head coach Luke Walton–formerly the Warriors assistant coach and Young’s former coach–jokingly said, “Nick’s terrible. Hopefully Steve puts him on the court tonight so we can kill him”
Well, Young didn’t attempt 20 field goals like Kevin Durant predicted and he didn’t exactly kill the Lakers, but he did score nine points in 14 minutes against his former team and was mightily booed for it.
Both Durant and Curry were listed as probable against the Lakers after sitting out Monday’s game against the Sacramento Kings, but both ended up starting in Los Angeles. Despite taking two hits to the face during the game, Kevin Durant put up 29 points while Curry scored 26 with nine three-point shots.
And in case you’re following the back-and-forth between Golden State’s point guard and the Ball family, Lonzo registered 15 points and three three-pointers in his first game against Curry. With his parents in the crowd, Ball heated up in the third quarter, scoring eight consecutive points with a layup and two three-pointers.
Although the Lakers managed to keep themselves close early in the game, the Warriors put together a 30-20 lead in the first quarter thanks to a strong push by Zaza Pachulia. Each of his six points in the first quarter were scored with three consecutive layups, breaking a 7-7 tie and giving Golden State a 13-7 lead.
After sitting on the bench for two games against the Warriors last season as a member of the Dallas Mavericks, Andrew Bogut made his first appearance against his former team since being traded this February.
Bogut replaced Brandon Ingram at the beginning of the second quarter and started with a seven-foot two point shot before finishing the game with two points, two rebounds, and an assist.
Bogut’s efforts played a small role in the Lakers gaining a 54-50 the lead over the by halftime. Outscoring the Warriors 34-20 in the second quarter, the Lakers finished the half on a 15-4 run.
Nonetheless, a quick two-point jump shot and a three-pointer from Klay Thompson to start the second half put the Warriors back in business. After scoring eight points in the third quarter, Thompson finished the game with 20 points and six rebounds.