Golden State Warriors’ JaVale McGee (1) dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
OAKLAND, Calif. — The pass-happy Golden State Warriors put on a spectacular offensive show for their former coach, and Luke Walton had to watch the onslaught against his Los Angeles Lakers from the other bench this time.
Stephen Curry had 31 points with seven 3-pointers and nine assists, Kevin Durant scored 28 and Golden State discovered an astonishing first-half offensive flow to run away from the undermanned Lakers 149-106 on Wednesday night.
The Warriors’ franchise-record 47 assists – on 53 baskets – are the most in the NBA this season and topped their previous best passing night more than 35 years ago.
“That’s pretty crazy. We almost have more assists than rebounds. That’s sick,” Durant said. “That shows we’re getting more comfortable with each other.”
It was the most assists in the NBA since Phoenix also had 47 on Nov. 29, 1991.
Golden State had 26 assists on 29 baskets before the break, as in sync as the Warriors have been since adding Durant during the offseason and far better than when they took a 20-point beating at Los Angeles less than three weeks ago.
Klay Thompson added 26 points with four 3s and Ian Clark scored 21 off the bench, while Draymond Green dished out 11 assists to go with nine boards in the Warriors’ ninth straight victory since losing at L.A. earlier this month.
Golden State took care of the ball, too, committing just 10 turnovers.
“That’s ridiculous – 47 and 10,” Thompson said.
Rookie No. 2 overall draft pick Brandon Ingram scored a career-best 16 points in his first start for Los Angeles, which had no answers defensively as Golden State shot 61.6 percent with 19 3-pointers.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr has repeatedly noted it might take time for his team to really click, yet at 15 games in Golden State was in top form – at least for one spectacular night of basketball.
“”I mean 47 is a shocking number but getting 30 every night is not surprising,” Kerr said.
“We don’t have to do anything spectacular, just keep the ball moving.”
Walton, the former top assistant for Golden State , returned to Oracle Arena and saw his old guys thoroughly dominate a young, beat-up Los Angeles squad that got more bad news regarding point guard D’Angelo Russell’s knee injury.
“That was a beautiful exhibition they put on us out there,” Walton said.
Walton spent the first 43 games last season as Golden State interim coach while eventual Coach of the Year Kerr took a prolonged leave of absence dealing with complications following two back surgeries. Walton guided the Warriors to a record 24-0 start and 39-4 overall record while in charge.
Golden State had 46 assists on Nov. 7, 1981, against Denver.
Curry shot 11 of 18 and 7 for 12 from beyond the arc. The two-time reigning MVP already set the single-season 3-point record with 13 on the way to 46 points in a Nov. 7 win against New Orleans – three days after going 0 for 10 from long range against the Lakers to have his streak with at least one 3 snapped at 157 regular-season games.