On Saturday at Chase Center, Stephen Curry sank his ninth 3-pointer, giving the Warriors a one-point lead with 5.9 seconds remaining. However, the Dubs were defeated 145-144 in double overtime by the Los Angeles Lakers, thanks to LeBron James’ game-winning free throws. Curry recorded a season-high 46 points and nine 3-pointers, whereas James led the Lakers with 20 rebounds, 12 assists, and 36 points. With that, he became the first Laker since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1976 to record at least 30 points, 20 boards, and 10 dimes.

JAMES AND CURRY GAIN AN EARLY TONE

A flurry of early offense was displayed to Chase Center spectators by two prominent NBA players, who combined for 20 points in the first quarter. James (9 points) and Curry (11 points) both attempted 4-for-6 shooting from the field in the quarter; however, Curry made three leaps while James made one. James scored the first seven points of the contest between the two titans, but Curry scored 15 seconds after James made his lone three-pointer. 

They were unaware that for the next 46 minutes of this match, Curry and James would continue to trade strikes that appeared to be knockouts. James (36) and Curry (46) combined for 82 points, of which 27 were scored in the two overtime periods (15 for James and 15 for Curry).

SECOND QUARTER CONQUERION

For a 3:24 span in the third quarter, the Warriors defeated the Lakers 22-3, including 12-0 and 10-0 runs, to take a 15-point lead (88-73). During that stretch, the Dubs missed only one attempt and converted seven field goals. With eight points during the run, Andrew Wiggins was in the lead. The Warriors outscored the Lakers 36-22 for the quarter.

A THOMPSON AND JAMES SHOOTOUT WITH 3 POINTS IN HISTORY

Klay Thompson and LeBron James were tied for seventh place on the NBA’s all-time tally of 3-pointers made prior to Saturday’s contest with 2,350. Thompson established dominance on Saturday by attempting six three-pointers, four of which were made in the third quarter. Once this season, Thompson has made at least four three-pointers in a quarter on three occasions. 

Small ball beginning with five

On Saturday, head coach Steve Kerr introduced a revised starting lineup, which included forwards Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga in place of Dario Šarić and Kevon Looney, respectively. Kuminga had tallied at least 20 points in five consecutive games prior to Thursday’s career-high 31 points against the Sacramento Kings. Green recorded an unprecedented eleven assists in his return from suspension against the Kings, earning his first start of the season. Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, and Stephen Curry were joined in the first five by Green and Kuminga. 

On Saturday, Green contributed to the effort with 14 points, 11 rebounds, three thefts, and two blocks in nearly 46 minutes. At a plus-31, he lead all players in plus-minus. Kuminga maintained a 20-point streak with 22 points and nine rebounds in 43 minutes of action on 8-for-16 shooting.