Steph Curry returned from an ankle injury to help the Golden State Warriors secure an impressive win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday (March 16). The 36-year-old played 33 minutes of his team’s win, scoring 31 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals on 50% shooting from the field and 30% shooting from the perimeter.
With Curry back in the rotation, Steve Kerr‘s team will likely look to use their final stretch of games to claw their way up the Western Conference. The Warriors’ win over the Lakers saw them leapfrog LeBron James‘ team into the ninth seed. Nevertheless, Golden State is still 3.5 games behind the Phoenix Suns, who are in sixth and hold the final guaranteed spot for the postseason.
Still, Curry’s return was enough to fill the fanbase with optimism. As such, the Warriors quickly pieced together a highlights package of their superstar guard’s return to the court.
LeBron confused by late overturned 3-pointer vs. Warriors
LeBron James was not happy with the officiating in the final minutes of the Warriors’ 128-121 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.
With Golden State leading 124-117 with 2:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, James, guarded by Steph Curry, made an off-balance 3-pointer in the corner to bring Los Angeles within four points.
However, after review, officials determined James just barely stepped out of bounds and wiped off the clutch basket.
LeBron James was not happy with the officiating in the final minutes of the Warriors’ 128-121 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.
With Golden State leading 124-117 with 2:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, James, guarded by Steph Curry, made an off-balance 3-pointer in the corner to bring Los Angeles within four points.
However, after review, officials determined James just barely stepped out of bounds and wiped off the clutch basket.
In speaking to reporters after the game, James was asked about the call and was adamant he did not step on the line.
“Oh yeah, it was good momentum, obviously,” James said. “I’ve never seen that be called before like that in that particular time. That was kind of weird, but it took some momentum away from us.
“I didn’t believe I stepped on the line, obviously. I knew how much space I had over there and when I shoot I shoot on my tippy toes so it’s kind of hard for me to have a heel down … it is what it is.”
The controversial call was not the only momentum-killing stoppage. A bizarre shot-clock malfunction with 1:42 remaining in the game created lengthy delays before Golden State eventually pulled away with the victory.
The Warriors jumped ahead of the Lakers for the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference standings with their nail-biting win on Saturday, and with both teams battling for playoff seeding, every win matters and this one certainly had its fair share of controversy.
