Introducing
The Warriors defeated the Lakers 129-125 in Los Angeles on Friday to win both of their preseason games, with Jonathan Kuminga once again leading the score.
After Brandin Podziemski missed a 3-point shot with 32 seconds left, rookie big Trayce Jackson-Davis made a putback layup to cut the deficit to one point. Subsequently, he turned down a layup attempt by Jalen Hood-Schifino to keep the advantage. The game was eventually secured by two free throws from Kuminga and one from Podziemski.
With two losses coming against the Dubs, the Lakers drop to 2-2 in preseason action, while the Warriors are currently 2-0.
STARS AT WORK
After 20 minutes, Stephen Curry scored 18 points on 5 of 8 shots, leading all starters. Four of the five starters for the Warriors, excluding Kevon Looney, did not play until halfway through the third quarter of the game after playing all but the first half of the opening game. LeBron James (12 points) and Austin Reaves (16 points) were two of the five Lakers starters who scored in double figures despite not playing in their previous encounter.
INTRODUCTION IN HOLLYWOOD
The Lakers jumped out to an early 6-0 lead thanks to 3-pointers from D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, but the Warriors swiftly answered with a 13-0 run of their own. Using a high ball screen to create a rainbow 3-pointer to start the run, Stephen Curry finished it off with a look-away splash. During this run, the Warriors shot perfect five for five, with Andrew Wiggins scoring five points and Kevon Looney making a layup.
KUMINGA’S PRIMARY
On October 7, in their first head-to-head preseason game against the Lakers, Jonathan Kuminga scored 24 points to lead all scorers. On Friday, Kuminga scored 26 points on 9 of 12 shots, including his opening six field goals, to maintain his lead in the game.
The athletic forward had an aerial highlight on Friday in addition to a highlight jam in the previous game. Using a jab and a lightning-fast first step, Kuminga went by LeBron James in the second quarter and crashed the hoop for a two-hand tomahawk slam.
PLAYMAKING PODZIEMSKI
Novice Playmaker extraordinaire Brandin Podziemski recorded a game-high 10 assists without giving up a point. In addition to his 10 assists, Podziemski flirted with a triple-double in this game, finishing with 10 points and a team-high six rebounds.
Next up
On Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ), the Warriors travel to Sacramento to play the Kings. On October 18, they return to Chase Center to host the Kings (7 p.m.; NBATV). They will have “Stephen Curry College Grad” bobblehead night on Wednesday against the Kings and “Paper Plane Klay” bobblehead night on October 20 at home against the Spurs.