SAN FRANCISCO — Thursday night at Chase Center was what it looked like when a more-talented team that’s still playing for something meaningful but is trying to figure itself out plays a less-talented team that doesn’t have a lot at stake but has gone through its growing pains.
The Lakers, who beat the Warriors 119-103 in the first night of a back-to-back for both teams, had the talent advantage on Thursday even with regular season-ending injuries to Luka Doncic (left hamstring) and Austin Reaves (left oblique), in addition to absences from Marcus Smart (right ankle contusion) and Jaxson Hayes (left foot soreness).
And the lack of continuity as the Lakers navigate this relatively new reality was apparent.
In the lineups they played, some of which hadn’t been on the court together before Thursday. In their 19 turnovers, which helped a Warriors team in need of offense score 22 points.
Meanwhile, the Warriors, who were without several players, including Steph Curry, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, lived life without their top star in Curry for nearly two months. And there was initially a greater comfort playing the way they needed to, helping them keep the game close.
But in the end, talent won out, with the Lakers outscoring the Warriors 66-54 in the second half to end their losing streak.
LeBron James, who was back in the Lakers’ lineup after sitting out of Tuesday’s home loss to the Thunder, led the way with 26 points, 11 assists and 7 rebounds in 32 minutes.
Deandre Ayton added 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting and 5 rebounds in 31 minutes in a game all five Lakers starters scored in double digits.
Brandin Podziemski led the Warriors with 17 points.
What it means
The Lakers picked up their first win since the injuries to Doncic and Reaves, ending their three-game losing streak and improving to 51-29 on the season.
They stayed at fourth place in the Western Conference standings with Thursday’s victory.
The Warriors (37-43), who were already locked into 10th place in the West, hope to have a dress rehearsal before opening the play-in tournament on the road.
Turning point
When Curry was ruled out Thursday afternoon.
It took away the best chances of Lakers-Warriors being competitive.
But bigger picture, it also took away what could’ve been one of the final opportunities to witness Curry and James play each other in an NBA game after that didn’t happen at all this year.
MVP: LeBron James
James shot 11-of-17 from the field, and racked up five of his assists early in the fourth, a stretch that gave the Lakers full control of the game.
It was James’ second straight points-assists double-double.
Stat of the game: 37
That’s how many assists the Lakers finished with, just one short of tying their season-best mark of 38.
The Lakers have recorded at least 36 assists in both games James has played since the injuries to Doncic and Reaves.
Luke Kennard had 8 assists in addition to his 14 points.
Up next
Both teams will close out their back-to-back sets on Friday night.
The Lakers will go back to Southern California to host the Suns, while the Warriors will travel to Sacramento to play against the Kings.
