Stephen Curry and Warriors Erase 25-Point Deficit to Defeat Lakers
“Them boys had my back today,” Yaxel Lendeborg said after the Golden State Warriors roared back from a 25-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 112-95 late Friday night in San Francisco.
Pacing the effort with 31 points, Stephen Curry helped propel the Warriors to become the first squad in the last 30 seasons to overcome a 25-point deficit and secure a victory by 17 points or more. The victory improved Golden State to 3-3 on the season following an 0-3 start. Additionally, this triumph established the greatest winning margin during the shot clock era for any team that had faced a deficit of 20 points or greater when the first quarter concluded.
Luka Doncic and Lakers Dominate Early Before Collapse
Lakers star Luka Doncic set the tone early in a high-stakes rematch against outspoken Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. Doncic poured in 21 points and five assists in the first quarter alone, shushing the home crowd after fans chanted “Luka sucks.” Los Angeles pushed its lead to 38-15 by the end of the opening period and briefly extended the cushion to 25 points to open the second quarter.
Doncic finished the night with 37 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Doncic shot 12-of-27 from the floor. However, the Lakers struggled once their star sat on the bench, allowing Golden State back into the contest.
Golden State Bench and Curry Spark Historic Turnaround
Warriors reserves Georges Niang and De’Anthony Melton combined for 27 bench points, igniting a 38-15 second-quarter response that tied the game by halftime. Melton added 16 points off the bench, while Niang chipped in 11. Brandin Podziemski also contributed a high-impact 21 points and six assists.
🔥 STEPHEN CURRY PUT ON A SHOW AGAINST THE LAKERS! 🏀Down by 25 points early in the second quarter, the Golden State Warriors refused to give up — and Stephen Curry led the incredible comeback!📊 Curry's Performance:🏀 31 Points🎯 6 Assists💪 4 Rebounds🔥 11/23 FG💦 8/14… pic.twitter.com/y0TKBeqE7T
In the third quarter, Curry delivered the game’s signature highlight by isolating Doncic on the left wing, executing a dribble combination that sent the Lakers guard tumbling to the hardwood, and sinking a 3-pointer. Curry finished with 31 points on 11-of-23 shooting, including an 8-of-14 mark from beyond the arc. During the fourth quarter, Curry surpassed Dominique Wilkins (26,668 points) for 18th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg Struggles Through Tough Night
The stellar play of his teammates shielded rookie Yaxel Lendeborg from a difficult outing. After drawing attention with pregame remarks directed at Doncic, Lendeborg picked up two quick fouls that he said sapped his aggressiveness. He finished with six points, six fouls, and five turnovers, calling it the “worst game of my life.”
“Try not to wet the bed as bad as I did,” Lendeborg said when asked what lesson he would take away. Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Curry expressed continued support for the rookie as the team prepares to face the LA Clippers on Sunday night.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Warriors Comeback
What was the previous record for a comeback after a massive first-quarter deficit?
On March 4, 1976, the Chicago Bulls led the Warriors 41-18 after the first quarter, and Golden State ultimately won that game by 14 points at 124-110. Friday night’s 17-point margin surpassed that benchmark as the largest victory in the shot clock era for a team trailing by 20 or more points after one quarter.
Where does Stephen Curry now rank on the NBA all-time scoring list?
With his 31-point performance against Los Angeles, Curry passed Dominique Wilkins (26,668 points) to secure 18th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring leaderboard.
Who do the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers play next?
Both teams return to action on Sunday night. The Warriors host the LA Clippers in San Francisco, while the Lakers return home to host the Toronto Raptors.
The Warriors complete the comeback over the Lakers 😮💨Steph Curry moves up to 18 on the all-time scoring list passing Dominique Wilkins 🔥