The Los Angeles Lakers continued to build on their impressive run as they defeated the Golden State Warriors 118-108 on January 26, 2025, at the Chase Center in San Francisco. With Anthony Davis leading the charge with 36 points and 13 rebounds, the Lakers displayed remarkable teamwork, with LeBron James contributing 25 points and 12 assists.
The Lakers came off their recent strong performances, including their notable win against the Boston Celtics, and were eager to maintain their momentum. The match started with the Lakers attempting to capitalize on their early-season win against the Warriors on Christmas Day. Dorian Finney-Smith, who was making his first start for the Lakers, got things rolling with a three-pointer right off the bat.
Despite the Lakers’ positive start, the Warriors quickly responded, gearing up with back-to-back three-pointers from Gary Payton II and Stephen Curry. It seemed like the game would be tight, and the lead shifted back and forth. Thanks to isolation plays from James and quick baskets from Davis, the Lakers managed to end the first quarter with a 27-26 lead, capped off by Dalton Knecht’s buzzer-beater dunk.
After both teams traded leads, the first half saw the Lakers holding onto a narrow 59-58 advantage at halftime. The game became more intense as it progressed. Buddy Hield’s first basket of the game opened the third quarter for the Lakers, signaling another surge.
Midway through the third, Max Christie’s back-to-back three-pointers pushed the Lakers to their first double-digit lead. The Warriors, still missing star player Draymond Green, managed to fight back but failed to close the gap. The Lakers led 89-83 at the end of the third quarter.
With Davis resting to start the fourth quarter, James took control, scoring consecutive buckets to extend the Lakers' lead again. Finney-Smith’s three-pointer early in the fourth was part of a decisive run, giving the Lakers breathing room. From there, the Lakers' defense, bolstered by Jarred Vanderbilt’s return from injury, stifled the Warriors. Vanderbilt made his presence known with three steals and four rebounds during his limited minutes, showcasing the hustle and energy the Lakers needed.
"Vando was awesome. He did all the things we need him to do," praised Lakers coach JJ Redick after the game. With solid bench performances and the star duo of Davis and James operating on all cylinders, the Lakers continued to pour it on, building their lead to as much as 15 points.
Despite the Warriors' effort, including Andrew Wiggins leading their scoring with 20 points, they struggled to find their rhythm, particularly Stephen Curry who failed to score in the second half, finishing with just 13 points, missing all eight attempts after halftime. The Lakers' defensive strategy focused on limiting Curry's influence, achieving what many thought was impossible.
The match marked the 25th regular-season meeting between James and Curry, with James' teams now holding the upper hand 13-12. The Lakers, benefiting from Davis's aggressive play and James's leadership, improved to 25-18, earning their third consecutive win and five victories out of their last six games.
Looking forward, the Lakers will face off against the Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers as they continue their Grammy road trip. Austin Reaves emphasized the need to remain focused: "We have to be ready to play every single game, regardless of who we’re playing," setting the tone for the weeks to come.