For the second straight game, the Golden State Warriors are ending the night with a one-point loss. Despite multiple clutch shots from Steph Curry and Klay Thompson in crunch time, the Warriors’ struggles with closing teams out took centerstage again against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday in primetime.
Although the Warriors stretched a lead to 15 points in regulation, a cold scoreless stretch in the final minutes of the game opened the door for the Lakers. While the Lakers not only tied the game, but took the lead, Curry came to the rescue with a game-tying bucket to force overtime after evading Anthony Davis with crafty handles.
In the first overtime period, Thompson knocked down a clutch 3-pointer to tie the game with seven seconds remaining to push the game into a second overtime.
While it looked like the Warriors were close to securing a win over the Lakers behind a ridiculous go-ahead 3-pointer from Curry to give his team a one-point lead, there was still enough time on the clock for James and the Lakers.
With just a second left on the clock, James was fouled driving to the bucket and sent to the line with an attempt to win the game. James drilled the Lakers’ 42nd and 43rd free throw attempts of the evening to seal an instant classic in favor of the Lakers, 145-144.
In a thrilling battle between future Hall of Famers, Curry tallied a game-high 46 points on 17-of-35 shooting from the field with nine made 3-pointers to go along with seven assists and three rebounds. James answered with a triple-double performance, tallying 36 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists.
Following another heartbreaking loss for the Warriors, the NBA community exploded with reactions. Here’s a look at what fans and analysts were saying on Twitter on Saturday night.
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22 lead changes
Tied 16 times
Warriors biggest lead: 15
Lakers biggest lead: 6— Kerith Burke (@KerithBurke) January 28, 2024
so thankful to be able to witness this pic.twitter.com/4i4VWEBuz4
— Chris Montano (@gswchris) January 28, 2024
Draymond Green: +31 in 46 minutes. Warriors were a -32 in his 12 minutes off the floor. It was a couple hours ago at this point, but that's where they lost this game.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 28, 2024
LeBron James hits two free throws to win it in double OT. That's two straight one-point losses for the Warriors. Their list of heartbreak Ls this season is expansive. Record keeps tumbling down: 19-24. Minute totals: Klay 47, Draymond 46, Steph 43, Kuminga 43, Wiggins 41.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 28, 2024
What a tough way for this one to end for the Warriors — a Green foul on LeBron. Lakers win 145-144 in 2OT.
Two heartbreakers in row for Golden State.
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) January 28, 2024
