Lakers Fall to Warriors in Hard-Fought 120–112 Battle as Turnovers Cost Late Comeback…Read More….

Lakers Fall to Warriors in Hard-Fought 120–112 Battle as Turnovers Cost Late Comeback…Read More….

LOS ANGELES, January 12, 2026 — The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a tough defeat on Monday night, falling 120–112 to the Golden State Warriors in a game that showcased both moments of brilliance and critical lapses. The contest, held at the Crypto.com Arena, drew a lively crowd eager to witness the Lakers’ quest for consistency this season.

From the opening tip, the Lakers demonstrated their offensive potential. LeBron James orchestrated the team’s attack with precision, finishing with 28 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds. Anthony Davis contributed a dominant presence inside, adding 24 points and 10 rebounds, including several emphatic blocks that briefly swung momentum in Los Angeles’ favor. However, despite these standout performances, the Lakers were hampered by turnovers and defensive missteps that the Warriors capitalized on.

Golden State’s shooting was the defining factor in the fourth quarter. The Warriors drained seven three-pointers in the final frame, quickly turning a slim Lakers lead into a commanding margin. Stephen Curry, once again, proved to be a thorn in the Lakers’ side, finishing with 32 points, including 12 points in the decisive fourth quarter, while Jordan Poole added 20 points, keeping the pressure relentless. The Lakers’ defensive rotations struggled to contain the Warriors’ quick ball movement, leaving perimeter shooters wide open at critical junctures.

Quarter-by-quarter, the game was a rollercoaster. The Lakers led early after a strong first quarter (30–28), with Davis asserting dominance in the paint. Golden State responded in the second quarter with sharpshooting that gave them a slight halftime lead, 61–59. The third quarter saw LeBron and Davis combine for multiple highlight-reel plays, briefly energizing the home crowd, but the fourth quarter exposed the Lakers’ inconsistency, as the Warriors outscored them 34–25 to seal the victory.

Turnovers proved costly for the Lakers. The team committed 18 in total, including several in transition that directly led to fast-break points for Golden State. Coach Darvin Ham expressed his frustration postgame but emphasized the positives. “We showed heart and fight,” Ham said. “LeBron and AD were phenomenal, but we have to value the ball better and close out defensively. That’s the difference at this level.”

Despite the loss, there were encouraging signs. Young players like Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura contributed meaningfully, combining for 26 points and showing flashes of confidence and composure. The Lakers will look to build on these contributions as they prepare for their next matchup against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.

This defeat underscores a recurring theme for Los Angeles this season: brilliance undermined by mistakes. If the Lakers hope to contend deep into the postseason, minimizing turnovers and tightening defense against elite shooting teams like the Warriors will be critical. For now, LeBron, Davis, and the Lakers face a short turnaround, seeking to turn lessons from a close defeat into momentum in the games ahead.