NBA playoffs 2023: LA Lakers defeat Golden State Warriors 117-112 in game 1
The LA Lakers — led by Anthony Davis and LeBron James — have overcome a final-quarter scare to seize the initiative in their blockbuster playoff series against Golden State. Recap Game 1 here.
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It’s the NBA’s dream, the ultimate marquee matchup.
The greatest shooter of all time versus a man nipping at Michael Jordan’s heels as the greatest player of all time.
And, after Game 1, LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers have taken a 1-0 series lead in their Western Conference semi-final series against the Lakers.
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Full-time: Lakers 117-112 over the Warriors:
Davis masterclass helps LeBron’s Lakers overcome late Warriors surge:
A monster Anthony Davis masterclass has helped the Los Angeles Lakers secure an upset Game 1 win over the Golden State Warriors, but not before one almighty fourth quarter scare.
The Lakers – led by a remarkable 30 points, 23 rebounds and four blocks from Davis – looked home and hosed up 10 points in the fourth quarter.
As history as taught us, though, you’re never safe against the potent Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors went on a 10-0 run in the fourth to level the scores in the closing minutes before the Lakers steadied down the stretch to hold on.
James was also enormous for LA, finishing with 22 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.
The man nicknamed the ‘King’ was particularly potent in the fourth quarter when he knocked down several clutch buckets.
James’ personal matchup with Warriors superstar Steph Curry dominated the pre-game chat.
And while the pair didn’t clash as often as hoped, the dynamic duo still put on a show.
Curry finished with 27 points, including six of 13 from range, while he added six rebounds and three assists.
Klay Thompson was also impressive for the Warriors, dropping 25 points.
Davis was undoubtedly the best player on the floor in Game 1 for the Lakers, but he knows this series against the Warriors is only just getting started.
“We know this team is the defending champions,” Davis said post-game.
“We saw what they did in SAC, but we know we can win in this building.
“This is a real confidence booster for us, but we’ve done nothing yet.”
Game 2 of the Warriors versus Lakers semi-final series is on Friday from 11am (AEST).
2.23pm: Lakers 112-106: Warriors not done yet.
Seriously, just when you think Golden State is done, the splash brothers go bang, bang, bang.
The Warriors have looked sluggish in this Game 1 against the Lakers, but while ever Steph Curry and Klay Thompson are on the court they have a chance.
Five minutes left.
Can the Lakers hold on?
2.15pm: Lakers 108-98: Lakers on the cusp as LeBron flexes in the fourth
LeBron James’ greatness is often questioned, but you can’t deny this man is one of the best basketballers we’ve ever seen.
James, 38 and in season 20, continues to defy Father Time on the biggest stage.
The Lakers main man is steering the Lakers to an upset Game 1 victory over the Warriors.
2.04pm: Lakers 96-88: Motor mouth Green blows up at refs as Lakers one quarter away from taking a 1-0 series lead:
Draymond Green and that mouth. Seriously, it was only a matter of time before Green lost his cool and started sledging the officials.
The Warriors forward blew up at the referees late in the third quarter after he copped his fourth foul of the game.
Green clearly bumped Davis off the ball, but he still had the guts to have a go at the officials.
The Warriors star is brilliant at his best, but he is a liability when he isn’t focused on the game.
Green almost has more fouls than points heading into the fourth (Six points and four fouls).
1.52pm: Lakers 86-80 – Can Curry take control to avoid Lakers upset?
This was supposed to be Steph Curry’s big stage to shine.
Coming off an historic 50-point piece in a first-round Game 7, Curry wanted to continue his scintillating form.
Instead, the legendary guard had to take a backseat as LeBron’s Lakers dominated proceedings.
Curry still had 13 points late in the third quarter, but he is lacking his usual killer confidence.
This could easily change in the fourth quarter – a period the Warriors superstar has repeatedly mastered in the past.
The stage is set.
1.44pm: Lakers 78-76 – Lakers depth prove worth:
Steph Curry’s Warriors possess the superior support cast on paper, but the Lakers have stars in their own right.
LA guard D’Angelo Russell is showcasing his class with 15 points thus far while Dennis Schroder has added 13 points.
The Warriors have the championships, but the Lakers are showing them on how to perform on the big stage at this point.
Can Curry and co respond? The pressure is on.
1.27pm: Davis making a statement to silence doubters
Former No. 1 draft pick Anthony Davis is primed to be the Lakers’ main man in this series against Golden State.
Davis always has his doubters, but he has let his basketball do all the talking in the first half against Golden State.
The big man has a whopping 23 points and 11 rebounds at the break – the first time in his 46-game career that he has had a double-double at halftime.
Watch for Davis to continue his dominance in the second half.
My colleague Michael Randall declared Warriors big Kevon Looney would outplay ‘AD’ – please.
1.18pm: HT: Lakers 65-64: Poole needs to be smarter to avoid Laker boilover:
Warriors rising gun Jordan Poole is super talented – no one questions that – but he needs to be smarter.
Poole gave up a lazy foul on Lakers guard Dennis Schroder in the second quarter, which only added to LA’s lead.
He made amends on the stroke of halftime with a four-point play, but he still needs to be better.
The Lakers have been impressive. Davis has continued his brilliant post-season form while James is slowly finding his peak form.
Can the Lakers cause an upset? Why not based on that first half
1PM: WARRIORS 56-53: THOMPSON SAVING COLD WARRIORS AS LAKERS SURGE
Thank god for Klay Thompson. That’s how every Warriors supporter would be feeling after a slow start against the Lakers.
Thompson is the Warriors’ main threat from range, with 16 points to his name nearing the halftime break.
But the Lakers won’t go away on the back of Davis, who has a mighty 21 points to lead all scorers.
Quarter-time: Warriors 31-29: Lakers’ pushed by Davis, unlileky X-factor
Rui Hachimura has only been a Laker since January, but he looks at home in the purple and gold.
Hachimura, who will face Australia’s Boomers at this year’s World Cup, came off the bench and excelled in the opening exhanges.
The Japanese international had six first-quarter points, but it was Davis who stole the show for the Lakers.
The big man dominated with 14 first-quarter points and four rebounds. Thankfully for the Warriors, Curry and Thompson both contributed 10 points.
Can Davis keep the Lakers in it? I think so.
12.29pm: Warriors 17-13: LeBron’s struggles from range continue as Thompson fires
LeBron James has excelled this post-season, expect from range.
This trend continued in the opening exchanges of Game 1 against the Warriors. King James shot one of three from beyond the arc.
Warriors star Klay Thompson showed James how it’s done from three, with eight early points, including three of five from range.
Thakfully for the Lakers, big man Anthony Davis kept his side in the game with eight early points.
12PM: CAN LEBRON RIP SCAB OFF CURRY’S EIGHT-YEAR SCAR?
LeBron James famously broke Steph Curry’s heart in the 2016 NBA Finals when his Cleveland Cavaliers defied a 3-1 deficit to defeat Curry’s Warriors.
Eight years on, James has a chance to inflict more pain on Curry in a blockbuster Western Conference semi-final series.
This scribe believes LeBron can shock the basketball world again and beat Curry on the big stage.
We all remember when LeBron defied the record books to comeback from a 3-1 series deficit against Curry’s Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals.
Now I know that was eight years ago – and James is now a Laker – but he’ll take inspiration from that epic moment in history to make this series a real battle.
Tip-off for Game 1 between the Lakers and Warriors is fast approaching – bring it on.
10.30am: NBA star denied greatness in ‘undeserved’ MVP robbery
The NBA has denied Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic a shot at greatness after failing to crown him a third successive MVP this season.
Instead, Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid created history on Wednesday to pick up the covenanted best player award.
However, plenty of hoops experts feel like Jokic was robbed.
The Nuggets centre averaged a near triple-double with 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists to lead his side to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
Embiid excelled in his own right, averaging a mammoth 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
The Sixers star deserves all the praise for a stellar season, but Boomers and NBL great Chris Anstey believes Jokic was more deserving of the MVP.
“The more I think about it -I think they are going to give the award to a player who doesn’t deserve it this year,” Anstey said.
“I think Joel Embiid wins the MVP this year – not because he has had the best year in the NBA.
“I just don’t think the voters don’t want to give a third MVP to Giannis or Jokic to put one of those two players into historical greatness conversations.
“I think too much emphasis goes into comparing Jokic or Giannis’ past seasons when they won, or didn’t win, the MVP.
“Instead of exclusively comparing their performance this season. For me, I’d have Embiid third in the voting behind Giannis and Jokic.”
A host of hoops fans agree with Anstey’s MVP take, including this passionate supporter via social media.
“Terrible choice Jokic averaging a triple double a game,” the fan said.
“Giannis higher rebounding and assists. That’s ok Jokic has more motivation now.
“Chip on shoulder to win the title. Hope Jokic plays Embiid in the finals to show who the true MVP is.”
MR: Matty, it’s the match up we all wanted. But seriously, can a fading LeBron and Anthony Day-to-Davis put a dint in Steph at the peak of his powers and that seasoned, multiple championship-winning Warriors group?
ML: Curry is cooking, no doubt, but LeBron hasn‘t been fading this post-season. The great man still has plenty of kick left in those 38-year-old legs. Plus, Davis has been a demon in the paint and the ultimate rim protector for the Lakers. I’d argue that Davis can win his matchup against Golden State big man Kevon Looney. LA also has a decent support crew behind LeBron and Davis, so this series is going the distance.
MR: King Kevon might outrebound AD by 30-odd if it goes to 7. Dubs in a gentleman’s sweep. Too much weaponry – Wiggins a huge key, he’ll only get better and better. That Steph guy refuses to lose. The game-seven 50-piece against the Kings was one of the great playoff performances.
ICYMI: Stephen Curry dropped 50 (!) last night ðŸ“½ï¸ pic.twitter.com/dejOU40GJK
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 1, 2023
ML: 30 odd? Wow, no way. We need to give AD more credit than that. I‘m not finished on King James either. I believe he’ll find another gear coming up against Steph and his Warriors buddies. We all remember when LeBron defied the record books to comeback from a 3-1 series deficit against Curry’s Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals. Now I know that was eight years ago – and James is now a Laker – but he’ll take inspiration from that epic moment in history to make this series a real battle.
MR: Has the King still got that in him at 38? I think, right now, Steph has more impact on winning, and he has a better support cast. How good would it be, though, if Steph makes it rain and LeBron turns in an all-time series? Might stretch it to six games, then.
ML: Never doubt a champion – no matter how old they are. King James has repeatedly delivered on the big stage and he‘ll do it again. I think he knows he is nearing the finish line in a glittering career, so he’ll dig deep in this series. Lakers vs Warriors on the playoffs. King James was born to star on this stage. Okay, so give me your series prediction then?
Make way for the King 👑 pic.twitter.com/AiStv8PA3S
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 29, 2023
MR: In all honesty, I think it will be competitive, but the Warriors get through in 6. Steph has transformed the game and I think the OG Warriors have one last title run in them.
ML: Fair call. I‘m going to be bold and say we’ll see another series go to Game 7. The Warriors deserve favouritism as the defending champions, but I think we’ll see something special from King James and Curry. It’s fair to say they’ll both be in the Hall of Fame one day.
Originally published as NBA playoffs 2023: LA Lakers defeat Golden State Warriors 117-112 in game 1
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