The Golden State Warriors closed out the first half of Wednesday's game 5 with vintage Splash Brothers to take an 11-point lead.
When they opened the second with a 9–2 run, they were in control. With their postseason at stake, the defending NBA champions bounced back from an excruciating Game 5 loss with a 121-106 win over the Los Angeles Lakers to ensure their season will not end on Wednesday.
Adding to the Lakers' woes, they lost Anthony Davis to a late-game head injury, leaving their Game 6 status in doubt.
warriors 3 heats up quickly
Golden State started Wednesday the way it has for so many wins over the course of four championships, connecting on four 3-pointers in the first 4:30 of the game en route to a 17-5 lead. A Lakers team that has been going from strength to strength since a midseason roster change erased their early deficit with a 50-50 tie midway through the second quarter. This saw Davis repeatedly, who concluded against an unmatched Kevon Looney in post.
But the Warriors looked to the deep ball again on a 20–9 run and closed out the half fueled by four more 3-pointers. They finished with a 6–0 stretch in the final 30 seconds, including a 3 from Klay Thompson and another from Stephen Curry at the buzzer.
The Warriors then began the second half by repeatedly attacking the basket and went on a 9–2 run to extend their 11-point halftime lead to 79–61. The Lakers cut the deficit with Curry to end the third, but Golden State held an 11-point lead heading into the final quarter.
It was a familiar spot for Monday, when the Warriors led by seven after three. But this time on the home floor of Golden State, the late Lakers rally did not happen. Los Angeles never got closer than 9 points again. The game ended when he lost Davis to injury in the fourth.
Anthony Davis out late with head injury
Davis took an unintentional elbow to the head from Looney midway through the fourth quarter and took off for the sideline.
After sitting on the bench with his head in his hands in obvious pain, he headed into the tunnel with the Warriors leading 102–90. He appeared dazed as he left the court and was ejected before the conclusion of the game.
Davis was then reportedly taken to the locker room in a wheelchair For further evaluation before the end of the game. After the conclusion of the game, head coach Darwin Hamm stated that Davis' condition had improved.
The Lakers did not offer an immediate diagnosis, and Davis' status for Game 6 was unclear after the game.
curry moves forward, helps a lot
Curry once again led the way for Golden State with 27 points and 8 assists while shooting 12 of 24 from the floor. But unlike Monday's loss when none of his teammates scored more than 17 points, he got plenty of help.
Andrew Wiggins added 25 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists while shooting 10 of 18 from the floor. Draymond Green was unusually offensive, tallying 20 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. He shot 7 of 11 from the field for his second 20-plus point effort of the post-season. Gary Payton added an efficient 13 points along with 6 rebounds while shooting 4 of 5 from the field.
The shooting woes still plagued Klay Thompson (10 points, 3 of 12 from the field) and Jordan Poole (11 points, 5 of 14 from the field). how they respond in Los Angeles for Game 6 will be crucial to Golden State's chances of securing Game 7 at home.
LeBron James led the Lakers with 25 points and 9 rebounds while shooting 9 of 17 from the field. Davis was slowed from his 18-point first half pace prior to his injury and finished the game with 23 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists. He did the bulk of his loss against Looney, who had been relegated to the bench since Game 1, as Green anchors the small-ball Warriors' starting lineup.
Game 6 is set for Friday night in Los Angeles.