SAN FRANCISCO — The Los Angeles Lakers secured a significant victory against the Golden State Warriors, triumphing 118-108 on January 25, 2025. With this win, the Lakers improved their record to 25-18 for the season, marking their best performance as they have now won three consecutive games and five out of their last six.
Leading the charge for the Lakers was Anthony Davis, who delivered an extraordinary performance, notching up 36 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Meanwhile, LeBron James contributed substantially with 25 points and 12 assists, showcasing the veteran skills of both superstar players. Austin Reaves and Dalton Knecht added 16 points and 13 points, respectively, to fuel the Lakers' offense.
The game unfolded at Chase Center, where both teams were gunning for key playoff positioning, highlighting the significance of their rivalry once again. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as it marked the storied 25th regular-season showdown between LeBron James and Stephen Curry. According to reports, "The game marked the 25th regular-season meeting between James and Curry. James’ team has won 13 of the 25.”
The Lakers started strong, initially jumping to a 5-0 lead thanks to Dorian Finney-Smith’s early three-pointer. The Warriors quickly responded, regaining control with back-to-back three-pointers from Gary Payton II and Stephen Curry. The first quarter saw both sides exchanging baskets, resulting in a nail-biting end with the Lakers narrowly leading 28-27 after Dalton Knecht's buzzer-beater dunk.
“Dalton Knecht did manage a dunk at the buzzer to put LA up 1,” reported Lakers reporter Mike Trudell, emphasizing the close rivalry between the two teams. The second quarter proved to be just as intense as both teams fought for dominance. The Lakers briefly lost their lead but regrouped thanks to Davis's free throw shooting prowess, who converted 83% of his attempts from the line.
Notably, Curry struggled during the game, finishing with only 13 points and going scoreless during the second half. He remarkably missed all eight of his shot attempts after halftime, which marked a significant turning point as the Lakers managed to shut him down defensively. This defensive effort was pivotal, allowing the Lakers to maintain their lead without worrying about Curry's back-breaking capabilities.
Max Christie emerged as another key player during the game, hitting important three-pointers to help the Lakers control the flow of the game. At one point, he hit consecutive threes, increasing the Lakers’ lead to 74-65 midway through the third quarter. "Both teams continued to trade baskets, but Christie's shooting helped the Lakers pull away,” stated the report. With the third quarter ending 89-83, the Lakers appeared to be gaining momentum.
Entering the fourth quarter, the Lakers looked to consolidate their lead, and they did just so with strategic plays. James led with offensive initiatives, scoring important layups. Finney-Smith also contributed with another three-pointer, signaling to the Warriors it was time to call for a timeout as the Lakers stretched their lead.
The game concluded with the Lakers dominating and maintaining their lead through sharp shooting and effective playmaking. The Warriors' struggles without key personnel like Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga were evident, pushing them to fall below the .500 mark with their record now at 22-23.
Key takeaways from the game indicated the need for the Lakers to improve their ball-handling skills, especially since there were several instances of turnovers. Nevertheless, the return of Jarred Vanderbilt provided much-needed support defensively as he made his season debut, proving to be active on rebounds and solidifying the Lakers’ front line.
Heading forward, the Lakers are set to begin their four-game East Coast swing, with their next matchup against the Charlotte Hornets. Meanwhile, the Warriors will look to regroup against the Utah Jazz as they navigate through this rough stretch of the season.