The Golden State Warriors and the LA Lakers put on a show on Thursday to live up to the hype of the marquee showdown. Steph Curry had 25 points in the second half to lead the Dubs to a 123-116 win. The two-time MVP needed a big lift from Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and Brandin Podziemski to beat LA for the first time this season.
Los Angeles inched to within 121-116 after Austin Reaves, who had 20 fourth-quarter points, drained a 27-footer. LeBron James stole a pass from Green, but Butler responded with a swipe of his own to help the Dubs regain possession. Curry nailed two free throws off a foul from Reaves to settle the final score.
James, scoreless in the first half, scored 25 points after the halftime break. He had 14 points in the third quarter to go toe-to-toe with Curry, who scattered 16. The four-time MVP finished the game with 33 points, nine assists and five rebounds. Luka Doncic added 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

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Golden State Warriors vs LA Lakers player stats and box score
Golden State Warriors player stats and box score
LA Lakers player stats and box score
Golden State Warriors vs LA Lakers Game Summary
The Golden State Warriors closed out a challenging six-game road trip with a visit to Crypto.com Arena for a showdown with the LA Lakers. Although LA secured the season series after winning the previous three encounters, both looked to battle hard for a victory. With playoff positioning at stake, the latest Warriors-Lakers duel could be the best yet this season.
LA's advantage in size and length caused Golden State troubles early on. The Dubs responded with efficiency, making 55.3% of their shots, including 55.6% from deep. Steph Curry and Co. led 26-22 at the end of the first 12 minutes. LeBron James briefly exited after a collision with Jonathan Kuminga before returning to close the first quarter.
Brandin Podziemski carried his strong play from the first quarter to the second period. The sophomore guard went 5-for-7, including 3-for-4 from long range in the period. Podziemski's 33-foot heave at the buzzer pushed the Dubs to a 60-47 halftime lead. He finished with 22 points in the first half, a season-high.
The increased intensity in the third quarter gave the game a playoff atmosphere in early April. Steph Curry and LeBron James gave the fans what they wanted with a duel in the period. Curry had 16 points, while James had 14 and three assists in the seesaw battle. Golden State kept an 88-77 advantage with 12 minutes to play.
The LA Lakers gave the Golden State Warriors a scare before the Dubs emerged with a 123-116 win. Austin Reaves erupted for 20 fourth-quarter points, while LeBron James added 11. Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green made crucial plays on both ends to drag the visiting team to the finish line.
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