“Podz 8-10, Luka stinker” - Lakers and Warriors fans dish out their takes after another closely contested clash 

The Golden State Warriors secured a hard-fought 123-116 road victory over the LA Lakers on Thursday in a high-stakes late-season clash. The result left LA fans frustrated with their team's superstar guard Luka Doncic's underwhelming performance. Conversely, Golden State supporters celebrated their squad's trajectory approaching the playoffs.

Warriors superstar point guard Steph Curry tallied a game-high 37 points, six assists and four 3-pointers, shooting 10-for-21 (47.6%). Meanwhile, his sophomore teammate Brandin Podziemski logged 28 points, eight rebounds, six assists and a career-high eight triples, shooting 10-for-17 (58.8%).

Their one-two punch helped Golden State hold on after nearly relinquishing a 16-point first-half lead.

Lakers superstar forward LeBron James and shooting guard Austin Reaves combined for 64 points as LA came within five points late in the fourth quarter. However, it couldn't overcome Doncic's subpar 19-point effort on 6-for-17 shooting (35.3%).

The contest marked a potential first-round playoff preview, with the Western Conference's fourth-seeded Lakers (46-30) one game ahead of the fifth-seeded Warriors (45-31). As a result, emotions ran high on X/Twitter after the showdown.

LA's fan base voiced its vexation with Doncic's offensive woes and Podziemski's hot shooting, with some fans noting that their team nearly emerged victorious anyway.

"Podz 8-for-10 (from 3), Luka stinker, and they won by seven. We will be fine," @LALMuse said.

"Luka (having a) terrible game with 19 (points), eight (rebounds) and seven (assists) is crazy, but that's why we lost," @clinkie44 wrote.

"Luka's out of shape. He needs to pick the Lakers or food. He can stay fat on a different team," @PaidCheckmark said.

On the contrary, Golden State's fan base rode the high of its squad's fourth straight win and first against the Lakers this season after three competitive losses.

"Everyone played their part! Great team win!!!" @lovepreet2 wrote.

"Momentum at the right time. Rolling into playoffs hot," @petehalvorsen said.

"We own the Lakers," @Totiboy8 wrote.

---

Luka Doncic takes blame for Lakers' loss to Warriors

During Thursday's postgame interview, Luka Doncic accepted responsibility for LA falling short in front of its home crowd, citing his offensive shortcomings.

"That performance from me is unacceptable. (It) makes it hard for the team to win," Doncic said.

Doncic's 19-point showing marked his fifth sub-20-point effort through 23 appearances with the Lakers, dropping his scoring average to 26.8 points per game.

The five-time All-Star's next opportunity to bounce back comes on Friday when LA (46-30) concludes its three-game homestand against the New Orleans Pelicans (21-55).

---