LA Lakers win Game 1 in thriller vs. the Golden State Warriors 117-112 behind Anthony Davis’ 30 points helps Purple and Gold hold off ferocious late fightback
- Game 2 between the legendary franchises is back in San Francisco on Thursday
- LeBron James dropped 22 points, while fellow great Stephen Curry had 27 points
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Anthony Davis battered the Golden State Warriors with his 30 points enough to give the LA Lakers a 117-112 Game 1 victory.
A 14-0 Warriors run of course led by Stephen Curry nearly gave the Warriors a magical comeback win, but D’Angelo Russell, LeBron James and Dennis Schroeder made the final four shots – three of them free throws – of the game to take the Game 1 for purple and gold.
Incredibly, the Tuesday night classic was tied at 112 with 1:25 in the ball game for Russell’s jumper and a free throw from James. Golden State couldn’t connect on the final three shots as the Lakers held on.
Russell stopped a Warriors rally by sinking a tiebreaker ring with 84 seconds left. Russell’s inner hoop came after Curry triggered the run with a three-point play and later added 2- and 3-point hoops, the latter drawing Golden State even at 112 apiece.
Davis’ amazing night of 30 points, 23 rebound, five assists and four blocks was nearly overshadowed by the late Curry-led offense, but finally got its rightful moment in the spotlight as LA put up the first marker.
Before Draymond Green’s game-ending irrelevant air ball, Jordan Poole had two chances, including a missed three-pointer from 28 feet with nine seconds left. His long-range effort was ridiculed on social media, in part given the shooting prowess around him.
Anthony Davis put up monster numbers in Game 1, dropping 30 points and grabbing 23 boards
LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined for 52 points and 34 rebounds in 117-112 win
Stephen Curry powered up a late 14-0 run that nearly stole Game 1 from the LA Lakers
LeBron James added 22 points and 11 rebounds for the victorious Los Angeles Lakers team
“Jordan Poole needs to be studied as to why on earth he would take this photo,” one Twitter user wrote.
Basketball Twitter satirist Rob Perez tweeted, “Jordan Poole: The walking, breathing Monopoly Chance Card. Straight to GO pick up $200, or straight to jail. No in-between.’
LeBron James added 22 points and 11 rebounds by dueling Curry in their final postseason showdown.
For all-time leading scorer James and Curry – who has made the most 3-pointers ever – this is a new chapter in the superstar’s long rivalry after meeting in four consecutive NBA Finals from 2015-2018 while James played for Cleveland.
The former Kentucky great showed why he is so highly thought of within the Association
Jordan Poole hit six 3-pointers, but missed a tie of three late in the final 10 seconds
Purple and Gold will have a chance to go up 2-0 in the series on Thursday in San Francisco
Curry’s Splash Brother Klay Thompson had 25 points and Kevon Looney grabbed a career-high 23 rebounds for his fourth game of the postseason with 20 or more.
Looney also had 10 points and five assists. Thompson made a 3 with 5:19 left that cut the Lakers’ lead to 112–104.
The defending champion Warriors will try to tie the series in Game 2 on their home floor on Thursday-evening.
The Warriors had three players hit six 3-pointers in the game; Poole (6-11), Curry (6-13) and Thompson (6-16).
Russell had a team-high six assists. He went 1-for-5 from 3-point range, part of the Lakers’ 6-for-25 (24%) shooting from long range.