Lakers home opener was shattered by the Warriors

The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center Tuesday night to open up the 2021-2022 NBA season, 121-114.

LeBron James got off to a fast start, getting seven quick points in the first quarter. Anthony Davis was even better with 12 points, and the Lakers led by two to start the second quarter, 34-32.

James continued the high play, but the Warriors would go away quietly. The Lakers would go up by five or six points and Golden State would go on a run of their own and cut into LA’s lead. The Lakers went on another run to end the second quarter and walked into halftime with a six point lead, 59-53.

The start of the third quarter rang a different tune for Golden State. The Warriors outscored the Lakers, 30-26, in the third quarter and went into the fourth quarter with confidence, despite being down two, 85-83.

The Warriors continued to apply pressure, going on a run that found them up eight with 8:14 remaining in the game. The Lakers went on a scoring frenzy with under 6 minutes to play. But the Warriors found themselves up 108-101 with 4:20 left to play and the Lakers could never get over the hump. Golden State won the fourth quarter, scoring 38 points to the Lakers’ 29.

James finished with 34 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists. Davis scored 33 points and 11 rebounds. Westbrook’s debut left a lot to be desired, but concluded with 8 points, 3 assists, and 5 rebounds.

Stephe Curry was held in cheek for good portions of the game, finishing with 21 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds.Poole scored 20 points and Nemanja Bjelica provided 15 points and 11 rebounds.