SAN FRANCISCO — — After another big basket, Klay Thompson rushed to the fans seated across from the Warriors bench and threw his arms in the air to set an entire arena ablaze behind him. It didn’t take much from the way his shots were falling.
He’s waited his whole life to shine against his father’s Los Angeles Lakers on the big stage.
Thompson scored 30 points with eight 3-pointers, Golden State limited Anthony Davis while allowing LeBron James 23 points, and the defending champion Warriors tied their Western Conference semifinal with the Lakers to one game apiece with a 127-100 win Thursday night.
“I was just trying to get the crowd moving,” Thompson said. “It’s always fun when you shoot the ball well, it’s even better when you get a win.”
Stephen Curry added 20 points and 12 assists as Splash Brother Thompson rushed to help Golden State make another 21 3-pointers – giving the Warriors an NBA record for most first two games. a playoff at age 42. James’ Cavaliers reached 40 against Atlanta in the 2016 second round.
“They made their adjustments. We knew they were going to do that, that’s what a champion team does,” James said. “They held serve on their court tonight.”
Coach Steve Kerr turned things around and slotted JaMychal Green into the starting lineup for Kevon Looney, who recorded a career-high 23 rebounds in Game 1 but is suffering from an illness. Kerr aimed to look different with scoring options and more free-throw chances by going hard with a physical presence against Davis in the paint — where Golden State was completely outplayed in a 117-112 Game 1 loss.
Thompson’s field goal with 7:48 left in the third gave Golden State its biggest lead at 82-64 and the Warriors went from there.
“Klay threw it and our defense kind of fueled our offense,” Kerr said.
The Warriors had more quick break points and points in the paint. JaMychal Green tied his playoff career high with 15 points, while Draymond Green contributed 11 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists after insisting he needed to get more aggressive.
“I was waiting for this moment, I just wanted to show that I could help,” said JaMychal Green. “They always tell me to stay ready, my time will come.”
The best-of-seven series moves to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Saturday. Back home in Southern California, Thompson said he would perform in memory of “my greatest inspiration” Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gigi.
“I have so much respect for the opportunity that’s been given to me,” Thompson said.
James shot 6 for 8 in the first with a pair of 3s for 14 points as the Lakers led 33-26. He recovered a loose ball and let it fly for a nice 3 with 7:47 before halftime but the Warriors were too much.
Davis continued his stellar performance in Game 1 — 30 points, 23 rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots and 11 for 19 shooting — with 11 points while shooting 5 for 11, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
“We played harder,” said Draymond Green.
Golden State outscored the Lakers 84-47 in the second and third quarters – recording two 40-point quarterbacks in the same playoff game for the first time in franchise history.
“It was tough for us to keep four shooters,” Lakers forward Rui Hachimura said. “Defensively, they were more aggressive, I feel. They had all the loose balls and the rebounds and everything.
Looney received huge roars as he came off the bench for his first action with 3:41 left in the first. He grabbed eight rebounds and scored six points in just under 12 minutes – and the Warriors still outscored the Lakers 55-40 without his best rebounder.
“We’re able to play different ways, I’m able to play different ways,” Curry said.
Kerr was hardly worried heading into Game 2, pointing out how Golden State lost Game 1 of the NBA Finals at home to Boston last year before winning it all.
The Warriors also rallied from a 2-0 deficit in their first-round series to beat Sacramento, the first defending champion to do so.
“You can tell they came out just ready to try to secure a game,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said, “and again not come back to our 0-2 spot.”
KLAY’S DAY
Thompson shot 11 of 18 and 8 of 11 from deep. His 19 first-half points were his most in a postseason contest since scoring 21 in Game 6 against the Rockets in 2019.
KEY SEQUENCE
The Warriors contested an offensive foul on Andrew Wiggins with James on defense at 2:50 of the second quarter. The call was overturned and a block awarded to James, and a Lakers assistant was given a technical during the review process – and the Warriors converted all three free throws to lead 60-50 before Thompson’s 3 the next time.
ADVICE
Lakers: James was -27 in three quarters. The only time he had a worse plus-minus at three in a playoff game was Game 1 of a second-round series against the Pistons in 2006. … In a big change from Game 1, the Lakers didn’t take their first free throws until 1:03 before halftime and their four attempts tied their second-fewest in a first half this season.
Warriors: Moses Moody added 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench and Gary Payton II added seven points and five boards as Golden State controlled the glass all game. … JaMychal Green got his first playoff start since April 26, 2019 for the Clippers against the Warriors in Game 6 of the first round. “Two hours before game time, Loon got pretty sick,” Kerr said. … Golden State improved to 20-6 in Game 2 dating back to the 2014-15 title chase.
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