Short-handed Warriors can't keep up with LeBron James, Lakers in 119-103 loss

Although Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were sidelined on Thursday night for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Golden State Warriors still had to find a way to slow down LeBron James. Yet, without Steph Curry, Kristaps Porzingis and others, the short-handed Warriors couldn't find an answer for James on Thursday night in San Francisco.

James paced the Lakers early, scoring 18 points in the first half to give the Lakers an early four-point lead at halftime. In the second half, the Lakers' offense continued to roll past the Warriors on the way to a 119-103 victory. Deandre Ayton and Nick Smith Jr. each tallied 12 points in the second half to help the Lakers deal the Warriors a loss.

Seven different members of the Lakers tallied double-figure scoring numbers on Thursday night with James leading the way. James finished the game with 26 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field with 11 assists, eight rebounds and two steals in 32 minutes. Ayton added 21 points on an efficient 9-of-11 shooting from the field.

In their regular-season finale at San Francisco's Chase Center, Nate Williams and Brandin Podziemski led the Warriors with 17 points each. Williams has now scored 17 or more points in three of his last four games for the Warriors. Over his last four games, Williams has posted scoring numbers of 17, 18 and 19 points.

Seven players for the Warriors also scored in double figures. However, no player notched over 17 points. New big man Charles Bassey continued to impress with 12 points and 13 rebounds in 30 minutes off the bench.

The Warriors will now go on the road to wrap up the 2025-26 campaign, starting with a contest against the Sacramento Kings on Friday night.

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This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Short-handed Warriors can't keep up with LeBron James, Lakers in 119-103 loss