Fans react to major W for Lakers against Warriors despite terrible LeBron James statline: "HOLY F**K WE BACKKKKK", "Give em the title already"
LeBron James wasn't his usual MVP-level self as the LA Lakers handily beat the defending NBA champs, the Golden State Warriors 124-111. “King James” finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in just 26 minutes.
After the win, Laker Nation promptly posted their opinion of the game:
"HOLY F**K WE BACKKKKK"
@LakeShowYo HOLY FUCK WE BACKKKKK
One fan may have gone a little too far with this comment:
"I've seen enough, give em the title already"
@LakeShowYo I've seen enough, give em the title already 😭
The Lakers came out hot, outscoring the Warriors 23-31 in the first 12 minutes of the game. Golden State clawed their way back into the game in the second quarter as the scoreboard read 59-56 to LA heading into the second half.
Anthony Davis already had 10 points and 10 rebounds by the time the second half ended. More importantly, the new acquisitions played with chemistry alongside the long-time Lakers. Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba had key roles in the team’s win.
However, D’Angelo Russell saw action for only nine minutes after he sprained his ankle in a freak inbound play. His status remains questionable for the next game. Russell has also been playing very well since his arrival. He is averaging 17.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists in three games with the Lakers.
Thursday night’s game, however, was about Malik Beasley. Two games into this season, LeBron James matter-of-factly told reporters that the LA Lakers simply didn’t have "lasers." General manager Rob Pelinka brought Beasley to Hollywood to address James’ concern.
Beasley scored a team-high 25 points, hitting 7-11 from behind the arc. Over his last two games, he is 9-18 from deep. His seven three-pointers were the second most by a Laker after James had nine against the LA Clippers last Jan. 25.
At one point, the LA Lakers’ lead ballooned to 28 points, which prompted coach Darvin Ham to pull out LeBron James and then Anthony Davis. As James headed to the bench, Davis remarked:
“I can’t remember the last time we were up 24 with this much time.”
AD: “I can’t remember the last time we were up 24 with this much time.”
LeBron: “Never, never”
We are so back.
(S/O @Spence_DFS ) https://t.co/jSiVgcCId6
The four-time NBA MVP responded that they’ve never had that luxury this season.
LeBron James and the LA Lakers are still in 13th place in the Western Conference
LeBron James and the Lakers can't get carried away with their win over the Golden State Warriors, who didn't have Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins. The NBA's all-time leader in three-pointers has been sidelined due to a leg injury. Wiggins, meanwhile, was unavailable due personal reasons.
Despite missing two of their most important players, the Warriors managed to stay close to the Lakers for the first 24 minutes of the game.
Golden State's offense just looks so much different without "Chef Curry" causing so much havoc against opposing defenses.
The LA Lakers' win was huge. LeBron James, during the All-Star weekend, asserted that the next 23 games will be the most important regular-season stretch of his career. He claimed that failing to make it to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons is not in his DNA.
Lakers had EIGHT players score 10+ PTS
Bron and AD only played 26 min 🤷♂️ https://t.co/Cr1L0P8oNC
The retooled Lakers are still in 13th place and in danger of having another long offseason. They will surely try to make a run, but so will their opponents. The new-look Lakers are 3-1 since the trade deadline but still have some serious catchup to do before Laker Nation can celebrate.