LeBron James and Anthony Davis led the Los Angeles Lakers to a stunning 122-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the second-round series, effectively eliminating the defending NBA champions and securing their place in the Western Conference finals.
The Lakers’ transformation since their shaky start to the regular season has been remarkable, with James and Davis being the primary driving forces behind their success. The pair won a championship together just three years ago, and their chemistry was on full display as they shared a joyous hug after the game.
LAKERS ELIMINATE THE WARRIORS AND ARE BACK IN THE WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RnLEYAwXVH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 13, 2023
James put up an impressive 30 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, while Davis had 17 points and 20 rebounds. Austin Reaves also had an outstanding performance, scoring 23 points, including a remarkable 54-footer from midcourt at the halftime buzzer, along with six assists and five rebounds. Despite Stephen Curry’s valiant attempts to rally the Warriors, the Lakers remained in control throughout the game and secured a comfortable victory.
The Lakers’ success has been built on their strong home form, and they improved to 7-0 at home since the regular season ended. They also ended Golden State’s remarkable streak of 28 playoff series with at least one road victory, a run that had spanned Curry’s entire career. The Lakers will now face the top-seeded Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals, with the first game taking place in Denver on Tuesday night.
The Lakers’ victory over the Warriors marks the first time since 2014 that Curry’s team has been eliminated from the playoffs before the NBA Finals. Golden State had played in six of the last eight NBA Finals, missing the playoffs entirely in the other two seasons. Despite the disappointment of the loss, Golden State coach Steve Kerr praised his players for their effort, stating that “it wasn’t for a lack of heart or effort.”
Curry had an impressive individual performance, scoring 32 points, but he missed 10 of his 14 3-point attempts. The rest of the Warriors’ starters struggled to make an impact, with Klay Thompson missing 10 of his 12 3-point attempts and shooting just 3-of-19 overall. Donte DiVincenzo had a playoff-high 16 points, but Curry was the only starter in double figures, with the other four shooting a combined 11 for 38.
The Lakers’ victory over the Warriors is a significant milestone for a team that has faced its fair share of challenges this season. The team’s new pieces have finally come together, and they have found success with a talented roster led by two of the league’s biggest stars. As they prepare to face the Nuggets in the Western Conference finals, the Lakers will be hoping to continue their impressive run of form and secure a place in the NBA Finals.
Stephen Curry’s Streak Comes to an End: Lakers Fans Troll Iconic Celebration
In a shocking turn of events, the Golden State Warriors suffered a major loss against the Los Angeles Lakers in the play-in tournament. Despite Stephen Curry’s incredible performance, the Warriors’ offense was completely shut down by the Lakers’ superior defensive strategy.
The defeat not only eliminated the Warriors from the playoffs but also broke three major streaks. The Warriors had not lost a Western Conference series since Steve Kerr took over as coach in 2015, going 19-0 during that span. Additionally, they had not lost a single series where Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green started every game, and they had won a road game in 28 straight series.
Curry, who had been on a hot streak lately, was unable to make a significant impact on the game due to the Lakers’ tight defense. Despite his valiant efforts, Stephen Curry finished the game with only 37 points, which was not enough to overcome the Lakers’ teamwork. This was a bitter disappointment for Curry and the Warriors as they had hoped to build on their impressive regular season record.
The loss also came as a disappointment for Warriors fans, who were used to seeing their team dominate in the playoffs. Some fans even noted that Stephen Curry’s iconic “night-night” celebration, which he had used to put opponents to sleep in last year’s playoffs, was now being used against him by Lakers fans.
Despite the setback, Stephen Curry remained optimistic about the future of the Warriors, stating that they had a lot of potential and would come back stronger next season. He also credited the Lakers for their impressive performance and acknowledged that they deserved to win the game. The Warriors will have to regroup and come up with a new strategy for the next season if they hope to regain their dominance in the NBA.
