The Golden State Warriors overcame a 25-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 112-95 in an NBA Cup game at Chase Center on Friday night. The loss exposed vulnerabilities in the Lakers' ability to maintain leads without their star guard Luka Doncic on the floor.
Doncic finished with 37 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, but his teammates struggled to sustain the advantage as Golden State mounted a fourth-quarter comeback. The Lakers scored just 15 points in the final quarter, while the Warriors outscored them 27-15 to secure the victory. Stephen Curry led Golden State with 31 points, including eight three-pointers, and was pivotal in the late-game surge.
The Lakers' 22 turnovers—including five in the third quarter—further compounded their struggles. Austin Reaves contributed 21 points for Los Angeles, but the team’s offense stalled in critical moments. Warriors coach Steve Kerr emphasized the importance of defensive adjustments in the second half, stating, “We had to lock in defensively and make them earn every point.”
For the Lakers, the defeat raised questions about their depth and ability to perform without Doncic. Head coach JJ Redick acknowledged the need for improvement, noting, “You don’t become a great team in six games. We want to become a great team after 82 games.” Redick also stressed that Doncic cannot be expected to play every minute, urging his teammates to step up when the star rests.
Curry’s viral moment occurred midway through the third quarter when he used a series of dribbling moves to create space before knocking down a three-pointer as Doncic lost his balance and fell. Curry later called the play “one of those you gotta kind of keep your composure” moments, adding, “I just love this game. All my mannerisms are just all over the place because I'm just having fun.”
The loss leaves the Lakers with plenty to address, particularly their defensive lapses and turnover issues. The Warriors, meanwhile, will look to build on their momentum as they continue their preseason campaign.