April 3, 2025 – Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
The Golden State Warriors kept their playoff hopes alive with a commanding 123-116 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night at the Crypto.com Arena. Fueled by a high-powered offensive performance from Stephen Curry and rookie standout Brandin Podziemski, the Warriors narrowed the gap in the Western Conference standings with only a few games remaining in the regular season.
Stephen Curry Drops 37 in Vintage Performance
Stephen Curry once again proved why he remains one of the league’s premier scorers, finishing with 37 points on 13-of-22 shooting, including 7-of-12 from three-point range. Curry’s leadership and clutch shooting helped the Warriors maintain a lead for most of the game, weathering multiple surges from a determined Lakers squad.
Curry’s performance included a stretch in the fourth quarter where he scored 10 straight points to prevent a Lakers comeback. He also contributed 5 assists and 4 rebounds in 34 minutes of play.
Podziemski’s Breakout Game
Rookie guard Brandin Podziemski had a career night, adding 28 points with a personal-best eight three-pointers on just 11 attempts. His sharp shooting complemented Curry’s offensive rhythm and provided the Warriors with another dangerous perimeter threat. The 20-year-old also chipped in with 6 rebounds and 3 assists, earning praise from head coach Steve Kerr after the game.
“Brandin has stepped up in a big way,” said Kerr. “He’s playing beyond his years and giving us real depth off the bench.”
LeBron James, Austin Reaves Shine in Losing Effort
Despite the loss, LeBron James continued his strong season with 33 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. James attempted to carry the Lakers through several key stretches, particularly in the second and fourth quarters, but the Warriors’ outside shooting proved too much to overcome.
Austin Reaves posted a career-high 31 points, including a staggering nine made three-pointers. Reaves kept the Lakers in the game during a third-quarter run that briefly cut the deficit to four points.
Warriors Lead at Halftime, Maintain Control
Golden State led 67-54 at halftime, building momentum early through fast ball movement and deadly accuracy from deep. The Warriors shot 56% from the field and 51% from three-point range in the first half alone. By the end of the game, they had connected on 20-of-39 from beyond the arc.
Though the Lakers made several comeback attempts, including a 12-2 run late in the third quarter, the Warriors responded each time with timely shooting and defensive stops.
Playoff Implications
With the win, the Warriors improved to 45-31 on the season, drawing within one game of the Lakers (46-30) in the Western Conference standings. Both teams are jockeying for position in the tightly contested race for playoff seeding.
“This one meant a lot,” said Curry in his postgame remarks. “We know what’s at stake right now. Every game is a must-win.”
Star-Studded Crowd and Off-Court Highlights
The game attracted a packed house, including notable celebrity appearances. Soccer legend David Beckham was in attendance and received a signed Warriors jersey from Curry before tipoff. The energy in the arena reflected the high stakes of the matchup.
Team Stats
- Warriors FG%: 54.8% (46/84)
- Warriors 3P%: 51.3% (20/39)
- Lakers FG%: 49.5% (45/91)
- Lakers 3P%: 43.9% (18/41)
- Warriors Top Scorers:
- Stephen Curry – 37 pts, 5 ast, 4 reb
- Brandin Podziemski – 28 pts, 6 reb
- Klay Thompson – 18 pts
- Lakers Top Scorers:
- LeBron James – 33 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast
- Austin Reaves – 31 pts
- Anthony Davis – 22 pts, 11 reb
Looking Ahead
The Warriors will travel next to face the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, April 6, while the Lakers will return to action against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, April 7.
