Golden State Warriors ease to victory over Los Angeles Lakers as LeBron James sits out

Highlights of the Los Angeles Lakers' visit to the Golden State Warriors in Week 16 of the NBA

The Golden State Warriors took advantage of LeBron James' absence to complete a 115-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.

Game leaders

Los Angeles Lakers

  • Points: Brandon Ingram - 20
  • Assists: Rajon Rondo - 11
  • Rebounds: Ivica Zubac - 9

 

Golden State Warriors

  • Points: Klay Thompson - 28
  • Assists: Kevin Durant - 11
  • Rebounds: DeMarcus Cousins - 10

NBA Conference standings

Who's leading the East? Who's leading the West?

Having made his return to the Lakers' lineup on Thursday after missing 17 games with a groin injury, James pulled out shortly before the game at Oracle Arena sighting general body soreness, but is likely to return to face the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.

The Lakers put up stern resistance in James's absence to lead by as many as 10 points in the third quarter, but a late surge inspired by Andre Igoudala saw the Warriors run out comfortable winners.

Image: Kevin Durant and Andre Igoudala both made crucial contributions to the Warriors' victory

Klay Thompson led the home team with 28 points on 4-7 shooting from three-point range, while Kevin Durant had a strong all-round game with 21 points, 11 assists and five rebounds.

The Lakers went 89-88 ahead when Ivica Zubac tipped in a miss with 11 minutes remaining, but Shaun Livingston then gave the Warriors the lead for good with a 10-footer, after which Iguodala drained a pair of threes to open a 96-89 margin.

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Golden State coasted home from there, with Stephen Curry, without a field goal for the first 41 minutes of the game, contributing four late hoops, including a pair of three-pointers.

The win was the 12th in the last 13 games for the Warriors, who had an 11-game winning streak snapped at home by the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.

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Brandon Ingram had a team-high 20 points for the Lakers, who fell to 6-12 without James in the lineup.

Rajon Rondo recorded 12 points and 11 assists, while Kyle Kuzma had 13 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 12 and Zubac and Lance Stephenson 10 apiece.

Saturday night's scores

  • Los Angeles Clippers 111-101 Detroit Pistons
  • Chicago Bulls 118-125 Charlotte Hornets
  • Brooklyn Nets 89-102 Orlando Magic
  • Milwaukee Bucks 131-115 Washington Wizards
  • Dallas Mavericks 111-98 Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Indiana Pacers 95-88 Miami Heat
  • New Orleans Pelicans 108-113 San Antonio Spurs
  • Los Angeles Lakers 101-115 Golden State Warriors
  • Denver Nuggets 107-106 Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Atlanta Hawks 118-112 Phoenix Suns
  • Houston Rockets 125-98 Utah Jazz
  • Philadelphia 76ers 108-115 Sacramento Kings

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