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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

The Golden State Warriors beat the Los Angeles Lakers tonight 128-121, notching an important win in the Western Conference playoff race. The game was a nail-biter, packed with highlights until an insane technical malfunction stopped the shot clock. But that’s not all that went wrong tonight. When asked about the atmosphere at the Crypto.com Arena, Warriors’ Klay Thompson had some not-so-subtle shade to throw.

The Splash Brother responded wittily, “No offense to the LA crowd, but you couldn’t really tell. I’ve been here during Finals games when I was 20 years old, I was very lucky to go with my dad in 2010 so it didn’t quite feel the same but it was still a very important game and I’m very happy with the turn out from out fans, its very cool to see.” This comes after Thompson rained down a whopping 26 points, adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists to his stat line.

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The Golden State Warriors trotted out a new starting five featuring Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, and Draymond Green for their showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Splash Brothers Strike Again!

This group saw extended playing time with Klay Thompson coming off the bench as part of a strategic adjustment. The night belonged to Curry, though. In a triumphant return from injury, he erupted for a staggering 31 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. LeBron James countered with a stellar performance of 40 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds, keeping the Lakers competitive despite the absence of Anthony Davis.

Both teams came into the game with something to prove. The Warriors wanted to erase the memory of their recent road loss, while the Lakers were still smarting from a defeat that left a bitter taste in their mouths. Historically, the Lakers hold the bragging rights in this rivalry, but the Warriors stole the show with a 128-110 win.

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LeBron James led a strong Lakers charge early, silencing Curry in the first quarter. However, Steph exploded in the final minutes of the second half, igniting a personal 6-point run. Klay Thompson joined the offensive party, pouring in 21 points before halftime to give the Warriors a narrow 67-66 lead. Curry’s hot streak continued into the 2nd half, where he drained a ridiculous step-back three over Rui Hachimura. The GSW fans went wild while Curry celebrated.

USA Today via Reuters

The point guard finished as the top scorer although he wasn’t alone in securing the win. Jonathan Kuminga chipped in with 23 points, and Draymond Green orchestrated the offense with a double-double of 12 rebounds and 13 assists. Golden State struggled early without Curry’s firepower, but Kuminga stepped up with early jump shots. Thompson and Trayce Jackson-Davis provided valuable energy off the bench, keeping the Warriors afloat until Curry found his rhythm.

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Curry might have been the star of the show, but the Warriors wouldn’t have won without some early heroics from Kuminga and a spark off the bench from Thompson and Jackson-Davis. Victorious Golden State heads home for a well-deserved break before hosting the Knicks on Tuesday. Let’s hope the game clock cooperates this time!

Read More: Klay Thompson’s Stunning Reality Brings LeBron-Bronny James’ Possibility Alive for Warriors