Klay Thompson Drops 41 On Lakers To Lead Warriors, 127-104
OAKLAND, Calif. (CBSLA.com/AP) -- Klay Thompson scored a career-high 41 points in his first game since signing a contract extension, teaming with backcourt star Stephen Curry to lead the Golden State Warriors past the winless Los Angeles Lakers 127-104 on Saturday night.
Thompson, who inked a four-year maximum extension worth about $70 million Friday, shot 14 for 18 from the floor. Curry added 31 points and 10 assists, and the Warriors withstood Kobe Bryant's big plays to thrill a blue-shirt wearing sellout crowd of 19,596 in the team's home opener.
Bryant scored 19 of his 28 points in the third quarter and nearly brought the depleted Lakers back. Instead, Los Angeles collapsed in the final quarter to lose its fourth game in five nights.
The Lakers are 0-4 for the first time since the 1957-58 season when the franchise was located in Minneapolis.
The Lakers at least showed progress in what has been a trying start.
They ruled Steve Nash out for the season because of a nagging back injury and first-round pick Julius Randle broke his right leg earlier this week, ending his rookie campaign. The Lakers are also playing without Nick Young (right thumb) and Ryan Kelly (sore right hamstring).
Warriors power forward David Lee sat out with a strained left hamstring for the second straight game. Unlike the Lakers, though, Golden State could lean on its talented tandem and a deep roster to eclipse Bryant's brilliance.
The Lakers built a 43-33 lead in the second quarter, a run that silenced the crowd and had Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob sitting in a courtside seat with his hand under his chin staring into the stands in frustration.
That was a familiar look last season when Lacob's team lost several home games to inferior competition, which played a part in Mark Jackson's firing. New coach Steve Kerr called timeout, and his team responded.
Golden State scored 14 straight points and ended the half leading 61-55 behind a series of scintillating highlights -- including a behind-the-back pass from Curry that led to a dunk for Andre Iguodala.
All of Bryant's brilliance, including a twisting layup while getting fouled by Festus Ezeli late in the second quarter, couldn't lead the Lakers to victory. He showed off an array of fadeaways and runners in the third quarter that even left some Warriors fans wowed. But Golden State's dynamic duo erased anything Bryant did.
In fact, while Bryant was on the floor, the Lakers were minus-30 against the Warriors.
Thompson made 5 of 7 shots from 3-point range. Curry finished 10-of-19 shooting, including 3 of 8 from beyond the arc.
Jordan Hill added 23 points and five rebounds for the Lakers. Bryant shot 12 of 18.
TIP-INS
Lakers: Bryant entered the game with 1,716 points against Golden State, the most of any team in the league. ... The Lakers started 0-7 in 1957-58.
Warriors: Thompson's previous career high was 38 points in the home opener against the Lakers last season. ... It was just the second time Curry and Thompson each scored 30 points in the same game.
UP NEXT
Lakers: Host Phoenix on Tuesday night.
Warriors: Play at Portland on Sunday night.
