Stephen Curry delivered another masterclass, scoring 37 points to lead the Golden State Warriors past LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers in a 123-116 Western Conference playoff race on Thursday.
Fresh off a 52-point explosion against Memphis earlier in the week, Curry erupted with a vintage third-quarter scoring spree that put the Warriors in control at Chase Center.
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Podziemski steps up as Warriors claim fourth straight win
Rookie Brandin Podziemski added firepower, hitting eight-of-10 from beyond the arc en route to a career-high 28 points, helping Golden State secure a fourth consecutive victory and strengthen their playoff push.
Curry emphasized the Warriors’ focus as the regular season winds down.
“We’ve set a goal of trying to lift our level of play, preparing hopefully for a playoff series,” he told TNT. “The intensity has been crazy, but that’s what you love — having something to play for is special.”
LeBron shine in vain for Lakers
LeBron James, at age 40, rolled back the years with 33 points, while Austin Reaves drained nine three-pointers in a 31-point performance. But despite a furious fourth-quarter rally, the Lakers couldn’t close the gap.
With the win, Golden State improved to 45-31, rising to fifth place in the West, while the Lakers dropped to 46-30, hanging onto fourth place by a thread amid a tense six-team battle for the final automatic playoff berths.
Giannis triple-double powers Bucks past Sixers
In Philadelphia, Giannis Antetokounmpo produced a monstrous triple-double — 35 points, 17 rebounds, and 20 assists — as the Milwaukee Bucks powered past the eliminated 76ers with a 126-113 win.
Seven Bucks players scored in double digits, while head coach Doc Rivers left the game late in the first half due to illness, with Darvin Ham taking over.
“Next man up,” Ham said. “That’s why you build a good crew.”
Milwaukee improved to 42-34, remaining fifth in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
