Lakers' 3-Game Win Streak Ends With 109-88 Loss To Warriors
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Klay Thompson scored 22 of his 36 points in the first quarter and Stephen Curry added 17 before sitting out the fourth to rest his ailing leg in the Golden State Warriors' 109-88 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
Kobe Bryant sat out his third straight game with a sore right shoulder for the Lakers, whose three-game winning streak ended in Golden State's 33rd win in 35 games.
Curry stayed in the game after taking a blow on his left leg in the third period, but briefly limped with obvious frustration on his face. The reigning MVP missed two games with a bruised lower left leg last week before returning for Golden State's last two games.
Curry went to the locker room before the fourth.
Draymond Green's streak of three straight triple-doubles ended with nine points, 12 rebounds and five assists, but the Warriors never trailed while beating the Lakers at Staples Center for only the fifth time in franchise history.
Jordan Clarkson scored 23 points for the Lakers. Rookie guard D'Angelo Russell sat out with a sore throat, missing a game for the first time in his career.
The Lakers' three-game winning streak was their longest since February, but the loss dropped their record to 8-28, the second-worst in the NBA.
Thompson had 22 points in the first 11 minutes, hitting four 3-pointers and going 9 for 14 from the field.
Golden State maintained a healthy lead despite not shooting a free throw in the first half, and the Warriors toyed with the Lakers a bit more before scoring 22 consecutive points over 5 1/2 minutes in the third quarter to put it away.
BRYANT OUT
Bryant's shoulder has improved in recent days, but he still decided to sit for the third time in 2016. Lakers coach Byron Scott is cautiously optimistic that the 20-year veteran will return Thursday in Sacramento. Bryant has missed seven games this season.
TRIPLE-DOUBLE STREAK
Green was attempting to become the second player in 27 years to post four straight triple-doubles. He already tied the Warriors record for consecutive triple-doubles, set 56 years ago by Tom Gola.
TIP-INS
Warriors: Golden State is staying in a luxury coastal resort in Southern California before flying north to visit the Trail Blazers on Friday. Coach Luke Walton said it's part of their goal to minimize travel weariness. ... Golden State shot its first free throw of the night 1:10 into the second half.
Lakers: Nick Young was booed by Lakers fans in the second quarter after missing two free throws and airballing a jumper in succession. The hometown product has struggled for much of the season. ... Metta World Peace got a technical foul in the third quarter after a brief exchange with Green.
UP NEXT
Warriors: At Portland on Friday.
Lakers: At Sacramento on Thursday.
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