October 31, 2026 at 3:23 PM UTC

Postgame Report

Warriors erase a 23-point first-quarter hole and pull away from Lakers

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Golden State scored 15 in the opening quarter, then outscored Los Angeles 38-15 in the second and 27-15 in the fourth for a 112-95 NBA Cup win.

The Warriors counted this one twice. Friday night at Chase Center, Golden State beat the Lakers 112-95 in NBA Cup group play, a result that goes into the West Group C table as well as the regular-season ledger. Both teams sit in that group, so the win has some use beyond the standings everyone else is watching.

It did not look like a winning night early. The Warriors managed 15 points in the first quarter and trailed 38-15, and the Lakers, who arrived at 4-2 and 2-1 on the road, looked like the team with the better record. Golden State, meanwhile, was still climbing out of an 0-3 start. Then the second quarter turned around, with the Warriors outscoring Los Angeles 38-15 to go into halftime tied at 53.

The third was close, with Golden State taking it 32-27, and the fourth belonged to the home team. The Warriors won it 27-15 and finished with a 17-point margin that was never really in question late. It was also a measure of payback after the season opener, when the Lakers won 127-105. Golden State had a good deal to answer for in front of its own crowd, and it did.

The Warriors did it shorthanded. Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody and Kristaps Porzingis were listed out, and Gui Santos was doubtful. Butler and Moody are expected back later this season. Luka Doncic came off the injury report after back tightness and was cleared to play, with rookie Yaxel Lendeborg adding a side plot for the Warriors. Neither changed the way the night ended.

Sources

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