Golden State snags first win of the season over West leader

The third time's the charm. The Warriors finally got over the hump against the Los Angeles Lakers, defeating the Western Conference leader for the first time of the season on Thursday night, 118-98, on the back yet another explosive performance from Stephen Curry and Jaylen Brown.

Curry and Brown combined for 71 points as the Dubs used a dominant, 40-point second quarter to build up a 25-point lead, one they would not relinquish.

After a pair of Kyle Kuzma free throws tied the game, the Warriors went on a 21-0 run, with Ky Bowman scoring nine of his 15 points leading the charge and Brown adding six of his own. With a lead in hand, the Warriors new dynamic backcourt went into action, with Curry bottoming a stepback triple over Dwight Howard, and Brown doing the same over LeBron James

The lead would prove valuable come the second half, as the Lakers attempted to storm back with a 21-3 run to kick off the second half. A Kentavious Caldwell-Pope three cut the lead to under 10, but Curry returned, nailing a three of his own that began a 10-0 run.

The Lakers wouldn’t backdown, however, as a James and-one layup would cut the lead to just five points with 36 seconds to play in the third.

In a game of runs, the Warriors kicked off the fourth with yet another, starting the final frame on an 11-3 run, sending the lead back to 20. Like a pair of heavyweights answering body blows, the Lakers responded, capped by a Howard dunk with 2:12 left in the game, cutting the lead to eight.

The Lakers had time, but needed stops. Stops they wouldn’t get. On the ensuing possessions, Curry attacked the rim but instead of going up for a shot, found Kris Dunn open in the corner. Dunn took little time to take advantage, nailing the corner three making the lead 11 with 1:52 to play.

The Warrior defense answered, turning the Lakers away on the next two possesions until Curry bottomed his final triple of the game with 59 seconds left, capping the Warriorrs first win over the Lakers on the season.

Up Next:

Golden State heads to Phoenix on Saturday night for the first game of a back-to-back set.

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