The stellar duel between the Golden State Warriors and the LA Lakers drew an expected team full of sports and entertainment stars. LeBron James was not scheduled to play because of a right foot injury, but Steph Curry was available after four weeks on the disabled list.
The regular A-listers were led by Denzel Washington and Jennifer Garner, while one NHL legend made a somewhat surprising appearance:
Alex Ovechkin took time out from his busy NHL schedule to enjoy some NBA basketball action. Despite the Washington Capitals’ crucial run of trying to make the playoffs, he was on hand to watch the Warriors visit the Lakers.
Golden State and Los Angeles met for the fourth and final time in the regular season. The next time they meet could be in the gatehouse tournament or even in the postseason.
Ovechkin and the rest of the stars descending on Crypto.com Arena witnessed the LA Lakers get off to a great start despite the absence of LeBron James. LA came out running, outscoring the Golden State Warriors 33-18 in the first 12 minutes of the game.
The defending NBA champions, however, got down to business in the second quarter by crushing the Lakers 36-22. The 55-54 score before halftime was the kind of action the home crowd, including Alex Ovechkin, Denzel Washington and Jennifer Garner, appreciated.
The Bay Area team is perhaps the best team in the league in the third quarter, often turning the tables on their opponents and building on the momentum of the game. LA was extraordinarily prepared for that tonight and managed to keep their opponents at bay.
In the fourth quarter, Anthony Davis showed the star-studded audience that he can carry the Los Angeles Lakers when LeBron James isn’t available. He scored 12 of his 39 points in the crucial quarter to lead his team to victory.
Anthony Davis today: 39 points 8 rebounds 6 assists 2 blocks 56% FG Domination on both ends 🔥 https://t.co/cm3ytTDfFV
AD’s eight points in the final four minutes of the game allowed the LA Lakers to survive 113-105 against the Golden State Warriors.
The LA Lakers and Golden State Warriors could fight in the playoffs
The LA Lakers have a 31-34 record after beating the Golden State Warriors last night. More importantly, they have temporarily moved closer to a play-in ticket or even an outright playoff berth. LA is just 2.5 games behind the Minnesota Timberwolves (34-32) for sixth place in the pooled Western Conference.
The Warriors (34-31), meanwhile, are also desperately clinging to fifth place and will even look to finish in the top four of their conference. Having Steph Curry back in the lineup after a month away is sure to make them better and more dangerous.
Golden State trails the Phoenix Suns (36-29) by two games for the fourth seed and home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
With roughly 18-20 games remaining for all NBA teams, there are still several scenarios that could happen. Two of those possibilities include a delicious matchup between the Golden State Warriors in the gatehouse tournament or in the playoffs.
If LeBron James and Steph Curry are healthy when the stakes are high, expect the stars to flock to these games.