LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a slam dunk against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
LeBron James recorded the 98th triple-double of his career, and Montrezl Harrell had 15 of his team-high 27 points in the second quarter Monday night, during which the visiting Los Angeles Lakers pulled away from the Golden State Warriors en route to a 128-97 victory in San Francisco.
The win allowed the Lakers to win the season series 2-1 from their Pacific Division rival, which is potentially significant in that the team that won the last six series between the two went on to reach the NBA Finals, claiming four championships.
The game was tied 29-all in the first minute of the second period before Harrell helped the Lakers take command for good.
First, he contributed two hoops and three free throws to a 13-3 burst that allowed the visitors to build their first double-digit lead at 42-32.
Later, he provided the first four points in a 17-8 finish to the quarter that turned a six-point game into a 65-50 halftime advantage.
Trez with two hands.#LakeShow #PhantomCam pic.twitter.com/XU6qVNhR0W
— NBA (@NBA) March 16, 2021
The Warriors, who were coming off an impressive home win over Utah one day earlier, could get no closer than 12 in the second half.
James’ triple-double, his fourth of the season, consisted of 22 points and game-highs of 10 rebounds and 11 assists. He ranks fifth on the NBA’s all-time list for triple-doubles, needing nine to catch Jason Kidd (107).
🍿 @KingJames had the fadeaway ON REPEAT en route to a triple-double and a @Lakers win.
22 PTS | 10 REB | 11 AST pic.twitter.com/KLF8sJ0unT
— NBA (@NBA) March 16, 2021
Harrell made 11 of his 14 shots off the bench on a night when the Lakers shot 62.8 percent.
Talen Horton-Tucker (18), Kyle Kuzma (17) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (14) also scored in double figures for the Lakers, who return home to face Minnesota on the second night of a back-to-back on Tuesday.
Stephen Curry matched Harrell’s 27 points to share game-high honors for the Warriors, who lost for the fifth time in their last six games.
Andrew Wiggins chipped in with 15 points, Jordan Poole 14, Kelly Oubre Jr. 12 and Nico Mannion 10 for Golden State, which was limited to 43 percent shooting. James Wiseman grabbed a team-high eight rebounds, while Draymond Green led the team with seven assists.