Draymond Green admired Golden State’s defensive energy against LeBron James and knows the Warriors must bring that same urgency back to Los Angeles for another chance to preserve this topsy-turvy season and protect their title.
After Anthony Davis’ fourth-quarter head injury, they need the same focus.
The reigning champion Warriors defeated the Lakers 121-106 in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals Wednesday night behind Stephen Curry’s 27 points and eight assists and Andrew Wiggins’ 25 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
The Warriors came from 2-0 down to overcome Sacramento in the first round with this core group.
Green remarked, “We’re champions, so there’s pressure every time you step on the floor.” “You go out there, you lose, people crush you. Past actions are forgotten.”
Los Angeles’ James had 25 points and nine rebounds. Davis scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds, but he left the game late after being smacked in the head by Kevon Looney on D’Angelo Russell’s layup with 7:43 left.
Before walking to the locker room, Davis grimaced. His fate for Game 6 on Friday night in Los Angeles is unclear, but coach Darivn Ham was encouraged afterward without offering details on the big man’s locker room evaluation, such as concussion tests. Davis needed a wheelchair to get to the locker room, according to TNT.
Ham stated, “Obviously, everyone saw he took a shot to the head, but we just checked in on him, he seems to be doing really good already.” That’s his place. That’s the current status.”
With 5:25 left, Austin Reaves’ 3-pointer dropped the Warriors’ lead to single digits at 104-95, but Curry responded with five straight points and another key shot after Russell struck from deep.
Golden State played tight defense to create better scoring chances, as coach Steve Kerr has challenged his team to do. Green scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Curry stated, “We were defensive.”
Since losing to the Bulls on March 26, the Lakers have won eight straight games at home in the postseason.
For the second time in club history, Golden State is hoping to win one more to bring Game 7 back to Chase Center on Sunday. In the 2016 Western Conference finals against Oklahoma City, the Warriors came back from 3-1 down.
The Warriors led 70-59 at halftime after Curry’s 3-pointer over Lonnie Walker IV. The 70 first-half points were Golden State’s most in the playoffs since scoring 72 in a Game 6 first-round triumph over the Clippers in 2019. Phoenix scored 71 in Game 4 of the 2000 second round to become the last team to score 70 or more in the first half against the Lakers.
Green and Wiggins took turns on James, and Golden State tried to disrupt Davis’ rhythm after he had 23 points, 15 rebounds, three steals, and two assists in Game 4.
After his third playoff triple-double in a 104-101 Game 4 loss, Curry shot 12 for 24 but only 3 of 11 from long range.
“I have a lot of confidence we can come back in this series,” Curry added. We stay in that mindset till otherwise.”
LINEUP LOOK
The Warriors went with Gary Payton II for the second straight game, which paid off.
With 7:34 left, he scored 13 points and executed a three-point play.
After shooting 0 for 8 the previous three games, Jordan Poole came off the bench and nailed his first 3 since Game 1 late in the second quarter.
Again, Klay Thompson struggled. He scored in single digits for the eighth time in his 150 postseason games on Monday, three of which were before Kerr became coach.
On Thursday, he missed his first four shots and 6 of his first seven to finish with 10, but he has a history of great Game 6 performances and returns to LA with a chance to dazzle.
TIP-INS
Lakers: In the first half, Los Angeles was outrebounded 18-17 and ultimately 48-38. The Lakers scored 20 points off the Warriors’ 14 turnovers but committed 16, giving the Warriors 20 points. James’ 3-1 playoff series advantage has never been lost. Only six times since March 19 (17-6) have the Lakers lost.
Warriors: After making only 12 3s in Game 4 (12 of 41), six Warriors made seven first-quarter 3s. From its 2015 title run, Golden State is 16-4 in Game 5s and 8-2 when facing elimination, including 4-2 at home. The Warriors are 34-12 in postseason games after a loss.
