James, short-handed Lakers beat up on Warriors 128-97
SAN FRANCISCO — LeBron James had a triple-double with 22 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, leading the injury-depleted Los Angeles Lakers past the Golden State Warriors 128-97 on Monday night.
Montrezl Harrell backed up James’ fourth triple-double of the season by scoring 27 points off the bench on 11-of-14 shooting as the Lakers clinched the season series with Golden State.
Stephen Curry scored 27 points with four 3-pointers and became the Warriors’ franchise assists leader a day after his 33rd birthday and in his 12th NBA season.
With a long list of injuries, the Lakers got another scare when Harrell briefly went down with 7:11 left in the first half. He took an elbow to the face from Warriors rookie center James Wiseman after his goaltend as he attempted to block a shot and had his elbows high. After a replay review to determine if it was “a hostile act,” Wiseman received a technical foul, not a flagrant.
Harrell walked off the court on his own. Kyle Kuzma airballed the technical free throw — so, what happened?
“San Francisco had a 3.5magnitude earthquake and (stuff) started rumbling and I don’t know, I got scared,” he cracked. “And it just went over to the far left.”
Golden State had its home winning streak snapped at four — a day after the Warriors ended a season-worst fourgame skid by beating the Jazz 131-119. But this was another tough beating at the hands of James and Co. after Golden State’s 117-91 defeat in Los Angeles on Feb. 28.
“They got 68 points in the paint. That’s unheard of,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
The Lakers had lost their previous two road games, both against Western Conference teams.
“I don’t think we’ll find our true identity until playoffs,” Kuzma said.
Los Angeles played without Marc Gasol, Kostas Antetokounmpo (health and safety protocols), Anthony Davis (strained right calf), Jared Dudley (torn MCL in right knee) and Alex Caruso, who coach Frank Vogel said entered the concussion protocol and won’t come back until Thursday at the earliest. Gasol is out as part of the league’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols and won’t be ready to return by today’s game against the Timberwolves.