Warriors Fall Short Against Lakers in Gritty Battle Defined by Free-Throw Disparity
If there's been a recurring theme in recent matchups between the Warriors and Lakers, it's the free-throw line-and once again, that storyline took center stage. Golden State dropped a hard-fought 105-99 decision at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night, and the numbers from the stripe told much of the tale.
The Lakers attempted 19 more free throws than the Warriors and converted 17 more-an edge that proved decisive in a game that stayed tight well into the fourth quarter. And notably, this came without Luka Doncic on the floor, a player who typically lives at the line with nearly 11 attempts per game.
Shorthanded Warriors Show Fight, But Fall Just Short
Golden State came into this one without Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Kristaps Porzingis-three of their top offensive weapons. Still, they didn’t back down from the challenge. In fact, they punched first.
The Warriors jumped out to a surprising 42-21 halftime lead, capping the second quarter with a tough Pat Spencer jumper over LeBron James at the buzzer. It was gritty, it was unexpected, and it had Golden State in control heading into the break.
But the third quarter flipped the script.
The Lakers erupted for 38 points in the frame, fueled by early foul trouble for Golden State and a steady march to the free-throw line. LeBron James and Marcus Smart led the charge, taking full advantage of the bonus situation and shifting the momentum squarely in L.A.’s favor.
Late Push Falls Short as Lakers Close Strong
Despite falling behind by double digits in the second half, the Warriors clawed their way back. They trimmed the deficit to just one in the fourth quarter, threatening to repeat the magic from Thursday’s comeback win over the Suns.
But this time, the rally ran out of gas.
The Lakers responded with an 11-0 run to slam the door shut and seal the win. It wasn’t for lack of effort on Golden State’s part-the energy was there, the hustle was evident-but without their top scorers, the offensive firepower just wasn’t.
The Warriors shot 42.4% from the field and struggled mightily from deep, going just 14-of-51 (27.5%) from three-point range. In a game decided by a few key possessions and a wide free-throw gap, those missed opportunities loomed large.
Moody Steps Up, Young Core Shows Promise
One bright spot for Golden State? Moses Moody.
The third-year wing delivered one of his most complete performances of the season, finishing with 25 points, four rebounds, two assists, and three steals on 8-of-17 shooting. He knocked down five triples and looked confident as a go-to option in a depleted lineup.
Gui Santos overcame early foul trouble and a scoreless first half to chip in 15 points and eight rebounds, showing some resilience and growth. Pat Spencer and Brandin Podziemski each added 14 points, while Gary Payton II contributed 13, continuing to bring his trademark energy on both ends.
LeBron Leads, Reaves Efficient in Limited Minutes
LeBron James made his presence felt in the second half, finishing with 20 points and 10 assists. It was a classic LeBron performance-steady, controlled, and timely. Austin Reaves added 16 points and eight assists off the bench, making the most of his 24-minute restriction with smart, efficient play.
What’s Next for Golden State
The Warriors now head back to Chase Center for two more games before the All-Star break. At 28-25, they remain eighth in the Western Conference standings-a position that keeps them in the thick of the playoff race but leaves little room for error.
Stephen Curry remains doubtful for Monday’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, and head coach Steve Kerr confirmed that Kristaps Porzingis won’t make his debut until after the break.
For now, Golden State’s focus will be on staying afloat, getting healthy, and continuing to develop its young core. Saturday’s loss stings, especially given the effort, but it also showed that this team isn’t going to roll over-no matter who’s in uniform.