NBA: Anthony Davis, Lakers pound Warriors by 30 in Game 3
Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half in game three of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 06, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP
Anthony Davis scored 25 points with 13 rebounds and LeBron James added 21 points as the Los Angeles Lakers rebounded for a 127-97 blowout Saturday over the visiting Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals.
The Lakers took a 2-1 lead in the series.
D’Angelo Russell also scored 21 points as the Lakers returned home and found their energy again after a lackluster 127-100 defeat in Game 2. The victory came even as James did not take a shot from the field in the first quarter and did not score his first field goal until 5:22 remained in the first half.
Another dominant Anthony Davis performance.
💪: 25 PTS, 13 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL, 4 BLK
Lakers take Game 3 in LA 🗣️#NBAPlayoffs presented by @GooglePixel_US pic.twitter.com/uUFJ0sUoi2
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2023
Stephen Curry scored 23 points and Andrew Wiggins added 16 points with nine rebounds for the defending champion Warriors, who also trailed 2-1 in their first-round series against the Sacramento Kings before advancing in seven games.
Klay Thompson scored 15 points for the Warriors, who shot 39.6 percent from the field and had 19 turnovers. Golden State converted 29.5 percent of its shots from 3-point range after shooting 50 percent from distance in Game 2.
LeBron dropped 21 PTS, 8 REB, 8 AST in the Lakers' Game 3 W 👑
LAL takes a 2-1 series lead 👀#NBAPlayoffs presented by @GooglePixel_US pic.twitter.com/Fc4NuZ35gC
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2023
The Warriors had the best of the early going as they opened a 30-23 lead after one quarter. The Lakers stormed back in the second quarter, using a 22-2 run to take a 51-42 lead with 2:23 remaining in the first half. Los Angeles led 59-48 at the break.
The Lakers continued their charge into the third quarter, taking their first 20-point lead at 86-66 following a close-range fadeaway jumper from James with 1:01 left in the period. Los Angeles took an 86-68 lead into the fourth quarter and coasted home to the victory.
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts as he walks back on defense against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half in game three of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 06, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP
The Warriors removed Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green from the floor with 9:11 remaining and the Lakers up 98-72.
Davis went 7 of 10 from the field and 11 of 12 from the free-throw line after he was just 5 of 11 from the field and scored 11 points in Game 2. The star forward appeared to play through rib discomfort on his left side after he fell on top of Green in the first half.
Lonnie Walker IV and Dennis Schroder each scored 12 points for the Lakers, who improved to 4-0 in home games during the playoffs and play host to Golden State in Game 4 on Monday.
