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Durant Leads Warriors’ 2nd Straight Win Over Lakers

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kevin Durant had 29 points, nine assists and six rebounds, and the Golden State Warriors beat the injury-depleted Los Angeles Lakers for the second time in three days, 109-85 on Friday night.

Stephen Curry scored 24 points and Klay Thompson had 18 in the Warriors’ 10th consecutive victory. They followed up their 43-point win in Oakland on Wednesday with another comfortable win in these clubs’ fifth meeting in 43 days.

Draymond Green had 12 points and eight rebounds before leaving in the third quarter with a bruised left ankle from a collision with teammate Ian Clark.

Jordan Clarkson scored 20 points for the Lakers, who played without injured starters Julius Randle, Nick Young and D’Angelo Russell.

Los Angeles beat the Warriors three weeks ago at Staples Center, but couldn’t keep up this week. The Lakers gave up 149 points on Wednesday, and they never made it close Friday with three of their top five scorers sidelined.

The Lakers were the last team to beat the Warriors, notching a 20-point blowout on Nov. 4. Since then, Golden State has found the rhythm necessary to become the powerhouse everyone expected when Durant abandoned Oklahoma City to join up with the two-time defending Western Conference champions in July.

TIP-INS

Warriors: Clark was prone under the basket when Green fell and tripped over his head. Clark was hit in the throat, but showed no sign of a concussion, the Warriors said. Green had a bruised ankle. … After all of this early season exposure, these teams don’t finish their season series until April 12 in Oakland. … Curry missed a breakaway dunk in the second quarter, drawing laughter throughout the arena. Staples Center’s video board replayed the miss after the next timeout and then cut to Curry, who was grinning broadly.

Lakers: Clarkson moved back into LA’s starting lineup with Young sidelined. Jose Calderon had seven points in his fourth start in Russell’s place. … Lakers coach Luke Walton said he didn’t review tape of Wednesday’s loss: “I told our film guy I would throw him out of our room if he put that game on my laptop.”

TOO-FAMILIAR FOE

Counting two preseason games, the Lakers and Warriors have played each other five times in just over six weeks, giving Walton plenty of time for friendly trash talk with his former players and his coaching mentor, Steve Kerr. Neither coach was particularly happy with the quirky schedule.

“It has been strange,” Kerr said before the game. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a schedule like this, where you see a team five times in two months.”

UP NEXT

Warriors: Host Timberwolves on Saturday.

© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed


Top 5 NBA Plays Of 2016

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By Rahul Lal

This year has been one of the most memorable in NBA history. Legends like Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett retired in 2016. LeBron brought a championship home to Cleveland. And the first unanimous MVP, Steph Curry, recruited former MVP Kevin Durant to join him in The Bay Area.

Oh yeah, and some pretty amazing basketball gave us plenty of highlights. Here are the top five NBA plays of 2016 and why they matter.

5. 2016 NBA Slam Dunk Contest

Okay, okay. I know this isn’t really a game. But the Slam Dunk Contest on All-Star Weekend is just as important as any other NBA play not mentioned later in this list. Once a perennial highlight of All-Star weekend, the event had taken a nosedive in recent years. But the incredibly memorable duel between the Timberwolves’ Zach LaVine and the Magic’s Aaron Gordon changed all that. The two traded amazing dunks, each delivering a performance that would’ve won the contest in any other year. LaVine finally triumphed on a threw-the-legs dunk launched from just inside the foul line. With a rivalry in place and anticipation up, what should be an All-Star Weekend highlight will be again.

4. LeBron James Blocks Andre Iguodala In Game 7

Game seven. All tied up. Less than two minutes to go. This is the moment Cleveland Cavaliers fans had been dreaming of since Michael Jordan hit the shot on Craig Ehlo back in 1989. This time around, LeBron James was the one making lasting memories as he erased Andre Iguodala’s easy layup. The Warriors’ swingman had been creating a host of problems for the Cavs. This block reclaimed the momentum, and LeBron and Cleveland never looked back in their mission to “bring one back for The Land.”

3. Kobe Bryant’s Final NBA Points

How do you wrap up a career that spans 20 years and includes 18 all-star appearances, five NBA rings and much, much more? Dumping in 60 points and eking out a win with pure Mamba determination is a pretty good answer. Last year was the end for Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, and each legend went out in the appropriate way. It’s only fitting that Bryant’s final moments on the court were as dramatic as his storied career. And it was a great chance for the NBA’s younger generation of fans to get a taste of vintage Kobe Bryant.

2. Steph Curry Hits Deep Overtime Three To Beat Durant and Westbrook

Steph Curry had one heck of a year in 2016. The Warriors set a record for most wins in a season, and Curry was named the first unanimous MVP in league history. Though they blew a 3-1 lead in the Finals (#NeverForget), the Warriors reloaded during the offseason by picking up Kevin Durant. In this game, Curry put some doubt into OKC’s future by getting 46 points, 12 three pointers (tying an NBA record that he would later break) and a clutch playoff win. This shot also secured Curry his 288th three-pointer on the season, which broke the NBA record that he set just one season before.

1. Kyrie Clinches The NBA Championship

For all of the NBA’s great plays in 2016, this one is easily the best. It’s really not even close. Talk about clutch, talk about elite and talk about the ring. Kyrie has always been on the cusp of elite status. This shot, over Curry’s outstretched arm to clinch the 2016 NBA Championship in Game 7, solidified that status and ended Cleveland’s championship drought. Kyrie, LeBron and Kevin Love are now on a quest to defend their title heading into 2017.

Rahul Lal is an LA native stuck in a lifelong, love-hate relationship with the Lakers, Dodgers and Raiders. You can follow him on Twitter here.

2017 NBA New Year’s Resolutions – Western Conference

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By Rahul Lal

So many New Year’s resolutions go unfulfilled every year. And often it’s because people set the bar too high.

NBA teams, even in the West, also have some room for improvement. And to see results, those goals can be modest. Here are what should be the 2017 New Year’s resolution for each team in the Western Conference.

Dallas Mavericks: Give Dirk His Kobe Season

It’s not secret that Dirk has struggled to stay on the court even though he’s been effective. Nowitzki seems about ready to join the retirement club with Kobe, KG and Tim Duncan. It’s imperative to let him have his moment in the sun to cap off his historic career.

Denver Nuggets: Get Rid Of Unnecessary Players On Roster

The Denver Nuggets have the second lowest payroll in the NBA and are loaded with young talent on friendly contracts. It’s time to cut or trade the extra fat on larger contracts, because the Nuggets have a chance to develop these young players who will undoubtedly demand large contracts one day.

Golden State Warriors: Don’t Fatigue Your Players

The Warriors seemed to fizzle on their way to 73 wins, giving up some easy games down the stretch and blowing leads in the playoffs. This season, it’s important for the Warriors to rest their stars instead of chasing meaningless records in the regular season.

Houston Rockets: Pay For Defense

I’m not sure many projected the Houston Rockets to be as dangerous as they have been. But the Mike D’Antoni project is working very well in Houston because of the talent and player personnel they have. Adding a defensive-minded player like Amir Johnson, Andrew Bogut, Thabo Sefolosha or even P.J. Tucker would make a huge difference.

Los Angeles Clippers: Don’t Let Blake Griffin Leave

The Clippers are always in that ‘elite’ conversation, but find themselves losing the big games. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul both will have a chance to walk this offseason. Griffin should be prioritized over Paul because of his age, ceiling and ability to attract other young stars going forward. Paul is only a couple years removed from an inevitable decline.

Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers gets helped up by Jordan Clarkson #6 as Nick Young #0 and Brandon Ingram #14 look on during a 101-89 Dallas Mavericks win at Staples Center on December 29, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.

Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson (Photo Credit: Harry How/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers: Stay Patient

The Lakers started the season at an unbelievable pace and had naive fans thinking they could play for a playoff seed in the west. While the Lakers aren’t at that level, it’s important to trust in the young core and continue to develop Brandon Ingram and company into the future stars they can be one day.

Memphis Grizzlies: Sign Young Talent

The Grizzlies are still one of the most confusing teams in the league. Some see them as one step away from being the San Antonio Spurs, while others see them as the next Dallas Mavericks. The Chandler Parsons experiment has not been working out, but making a play for Otto Porter, Serge Ibaka or even J.J. Reddick could help with the young talent and the future of the franchise.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Play Some Defense

NBA nerds salivated at the thought of a Tom Thibodeau defense with the athletic monsters in Minnesota. Instead, the offense has been there with no effort on defense. To get to the next level, the young Wolves have to start delivering on defense.

New Orleans Pelicans: Keep Jrue Holiday

Forever one of the most underrated players in the NBA, Holiday came in and had an instant effect on the team’s win-loss record. Holiday, an unrestricted free agent, is vital to this team’s success. It’s important to keep him paired with Anthony Davis as this team develops.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Keep Developing The Core

The Thunder will look fairly similar for a long time, as Westbrook, Oladipo, Sabonis and Adams are all locked in until at least 2019. Along with Roberson, this group has accumulated the highest +/- average of any group on OKC’s roster according to NBA.com and has improved leaps and bounds over the course of this short season.

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the second half of the NBA game against the New York Knicks at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 13, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Knicks 113-111.

Devin Booker (Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns: Embrace The Youth Movement

The Phoenix Suns are paying Devin Booker, Marquese Chriss, Dragan Bender and Alex Len under $5 million a season. These players are their future as opposed to Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight, Tyson Chandler, Jared Dudley and P.J. Tucker with their $53 million in salaries this season. It’s time to get rid of bad contracts and believe in the youth.

Portland Trail Blazers: Sign Nerlens Noel

Smart money is on Nerlens Noel leaving as an unrestricted free agent this season. The Blazers are getting killed on the boards late in games against bigger teams and could use his interior defense and shot blocking to add another dimension to a solid, young team.

Sacramento Kings: Take The Best Deal For Boogie

Watching the Kings is as close to an NBA reality show as we’ll ever see, and it starts with DeMarcus Cousins’ deep disdain for the organization. He’s a truly talented player who deserves a large haul in return, but each day passed lowers the Kings’ bargaining power on him.

San Antonio Spurs: Sign A Floor General This Offseason

The Spurs quietly still have a really solid chance at making it to the Finals this year and beyond. But to get to the next level, they need one more dangerous player to join them in the offseason as a distributor. Offering a contract to Jrue Holiday, Jeff Teague, George Hill or even Chris Paul, who has an early termination option, could pay dividends both next season and beyond.

Utah Jazz: Keep Growing Together

The Jazz may be the most underrated team on both sides of the ball, even if their record doesn’t reflect it. With injuries to Derrick Favors, George Hill, Gordon Hayward, Joe Johnson and Rodney Hood, the Jazz have to keep gaining experience and playing time together to be a real playoff upset contender.

Rahul Lal is an LA native stuck in a lifelong, love-hate relationship with the Lakers, Dodgers and Raiders. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Magic Johnson Named Lakers President Of Basketball Operations

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Magic Johnson is leading the Los Angeles Lakers again after a major shake-up of the struggling franchise’s front office.

Lakers owner Jeanie Buss fired general manager Mitch Kupchak on Tuesday and put Johnson in charge of basketball operations. Jeanie Buss also removed her brother, Jim, from his job as the Lakers’ executive vice president of basketball operations.

Jim Buss retains his ownership stake in the team, but Jeanie Buss has final say under the structure set up by their late father, Jerry Buss. She used it to chart a new course for the Lakers, who are mired in the worst four-year stretch in the 16-time NBA champion franchise’s glorious history.

Just 19 days after Johnson returned to the Lakers in an executive role, Jeanie Buss promoted the Hall of Fame point guard to have the final say on basketball decisions. Johnson is the Lakers’ new president of basketball operations, reporting directly to Jeanie Buss, although the team also plans to hire a new general manager.

“I took these actions today to achieve one goal: Everyone associated with the Lakers will now be pulling in the same direction, the direction established by Earvin and myself,” Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “We are determined to get back to competing to win NBA championships again.”

Jeanie Buss made the extraordinary moves two days before the trade deadline. The Lakers have the NBA’s third-worst record at 19-39 this season, plummeting out of contention after an encouraging 10-10 start under new coach Luke Walton, who got a strong vote of confidence.

Jeanie Buss said she “took a series of actions I believe will return the Lakers to the heights Dr. Jerry Buss demanded and our fans rightly expect. Our search for a new general manager to work with Earvin and coach Luke Walton is well underway, and we hope to announce a new general manager in short order. Together, Earvin, Luke and our new general manager will establish the foundation for the next generation of Los Angeles Lakers greatness.”

Kupchak had been the Lakers’ GM since 2000, studying under Jerry West and eventually succeeding him. Kupchak had been in the Lakers’ front office for 30 years, including the last 17 as general manager — the longest current stretch running a front office in the NBA.

Jim Buss had been in the Lakers’ front office for 19 years, including 12 in charge of basketball operations alongside Kupchak. The former horse trainer had final say on basketball decisions in recent years.

But the Lakers have steadily declined from the heights of back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. They are mired in the worst four-year stretch in franchise history, missing the playoffs in three consecutive years with their three worst records ever.

After an extraordinary trade for Pau Gasol propelled the Lakers to three straight NBA Finals appearances, Kupchak and Jim Buss made a series of high-profile personnel moves that didn’t pan out.

They made a pricey trade for Dwight Howard, who fled the franchise after one year, and another deal for Steve Nash, who barely played thanks to back woes. The Lakers are still feeling the effects of that deal, which will cost them their first-round pick this summer if it isn’t in the top three.

The Lakers finished 17-65 last season, a franchise low in the last year of Kobe Bryant’s two-decade run with the franchise.

Johnson’s return made Jim Buss’ departure seem quite likely, particularly given Jim Buss’ vow several years ago to leave the franchise if they weren’t in contention for a Western Conference title by this year or next.

But Jeanie Buss still picked a dramatic way to end this family business’ years of tradition.

Johnson has never been a decision-making NBA executive, but he has been a successful businessman and investor since his playing career ended. He also briefly coached the Lakers, but dropped his ceremonial title as a team vice president last June after his frequent public criticisms of Jim Buss and former coaches. He also sold his ownership stake in 2010.

“Since 1979, I’ve been a part of the Laker Nation, and I’m passionate about this organization,” Johnson said in a statement. “I will do everything I can to build a winning culture on and off the court. We have a great coach in Luke Walton and good young players. We will work tirelessly to return our Los Angeles Lakers to NBA champions.”

The departure of Kupchak is even more dramatic: The former Lakers center had worked with West and Jim Buss in relative harmony for years with the tradition-bound Lakers. Kupchak had been employed by the Lakers in some capacity since August 1981.

The Lakers’ recent ineptitude didn’t hurt their place as Los Angeles’ most beloved sports franchise and a worldwide brand, but Jeanie Buss finally tired of the apparent lack of progress. The Lakers have a talented young core with D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, Brandon Ingram and Jordan Clarkson, but haven’t been able to translate that potential into wins despite playing an exciting style under Walton.

The Lakers also parted ways with longtime top public relations executive John Black.

The Lakers return from the All-Star break on Friday at Oklahoma City. They face San Antonio at Staples Center on Sunday.

© Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Can Magic Fix The Lakers?

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By Jason Keidel

It’s rare, if not unprecedented, for the terms desperate and Lakers to be synonymous. Equally incongruous is the iconic NBA franchise anchored at the bottom of basketball’s standings.

Jeanie Buss, daughter of Jerry Buss, has kept the family business within the family. But in light of the Lakers’ woeful performance, she was forced to boot her brother, Jim, who was running the personnel side of things. Afterward, a solemn, contrite Buss apologized to Lakers fans for taking so long to see the light. She felt obliged to grant Jim the three years he said it would take to restore a new brand of ‘Showtime.’

And, as we’ve seen, the term family is pliable. One need not be blood to be progeny. With that in mind, Jeanie Buss hired another of her dad’s de facto sons to run the club — perhaps the most decorated and celebrated of all — Magic Johnson.

Certainly, he has the basketball bona fides, and a surplus of goodwill to burn. But we don’t know that Magic’s on-court vision transcends the hardwood. In fact, there’s been little to suggest he will succeed.

Magic doesn’t need the cash or the cachet. Yet word is he pined ardently for the job as team president.

Just look at another recently departed icon, Phil Jackson, who wanted to return as Lakers coach but was rebuffed for Mike D’Antoni. Jackson migrated east, where he made his bones as a basketball player and potential coach, to run the Knicks… into the ground. Jackson has been, by any subjective or objective terms, a disaster. Other than backing into a basketball unicorn Kristaps Porzingis, Jackson has been almost as inept as Isiah Thomas, who was so awful his name alone is nearly a historical profanity.

In other words, being great at one thing doesn’t assure that you will be great, or even good, at something else. Jackson was a genius at moving players and molding egos — on the court. But none of the Zen Master’s triangular world has helped him in the least to procure the personnel to improve the Knicks.

Magic Johnson has two things that have eluded Jackson: his health and a robust work ethic. Jackson has not only made woeful moves, but he doesn’t even try, spending more time tooling around some log cabin out west or near Woodstock, and the rest of his time tweaking his latest, clever tweet. Unlike Jackson, who took the Knicks gig as a supreme money grab, Johnson wants to make the Lakers a great team again.

Get more commentary from other CBS Local Sports Voices.

Magic was more than a Laker, and more than a basketball player. When Magic and Larry Bird brought their twin talents to the sport, and the world, it literally changed the game. It changed the way we perceived and celebrated basketball.

Magic made passing cool, and gave those of us with gravity-bound gifts a way to play the game without residing above the rim. Even on the street, on the asphalt, from L.A. to NYC, where the individual play is heralded above wins and losses, kids eschewed the dunk for the dime, for the selfless coda of making your teammates shine.

Magic not only made passing cool, but he showed us the keyhole to victory. And while there never was and still hasn’t been another physical anomaly like Magic — a 6’9″ point guard who handled the ball like Steph Curry despite being double the size — we can all pass a little better, always think about the man next to us a bit more than ourselves.

So most of us want Magic to make it big. But he was a lousy coach. And there are endless historical precedents that suggest great players don’t carry their talents over once they swap shorts for suits. Elgin Baylor. Bill Russell. Isiah Thomas. And if Magic couldn’t run a team from the bench, why will he be better at running it from the executive suite?

Jerry West may be the only hardwood legend who was equally divine on and off the court. Coincidentally, he too was a lifelong Laker. Sadly, West painfully bolted his home after he could no longer tolerate Phil Jackson’s caustic, condescending autocracy.

Perhaps Jackson is paying a hefty karmic tax for his hubris. Magic isn’t about ego. He’s thinking about someone other than himself. And leave it to the rest of us to root for him to make the Lakers a contender again.

Jason writes a weekly column for CBS Local Sports. He is a native New Yorker, sans the elitist sensibilities, and believes there’s a world west of the Hudson River. A Yankees devotee and Steelers groupie, he has been scouring the forest of fertile NYC sports sections since the 1970s. He has written over 500 columns for WFAN/CBS NY, and also worked as a freelance writer for Sports Illustrated and Newsday subsidiary amNew York. He made his bones as a boxing writer, occasionally covering fights in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, but mostly inside Madison Square Garden. Follow him on Twitter @JasonKeidel.

Warriors Beat Lakers, Playoff Scheduled Announced

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OAKLAND (KPIX 5/AP) — Kevin Durant had 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists in his final playoff tuneup, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Los Angeles Lakers 109-94 in both teams’ final regular-season game Wednesday night.

Stephen Curry added 20 points, eight assists and five rebounds for the playoff-bound, top-seeded Warriors (67-15), ready for what they’re counting on being another deep postseason run.

Klay Thompson scored 12 points as coach Steve Kerr rested Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green.

Jordan Clarkson led all five Lakers starters in double figures with 17 points.

A day after a fierce and fun 3-point shootout following practice, Durant said before the game he hoped to have found his shooting touch after recently missing 19 games with a left knee injury. KD shot 11 for 16 and made 5 of 7 3s, while Curry also hit five from deep.

After the game, the league announced the Warriors playoff schedule. Golden State will face the Portland Trail Blazers in a best-of-seven series.

Game 1 in Oakland: Sunday, April 16, 12:30 p.m.

Game 2 in Oakland: Wednesday, April 19, 7:30 p.m.

Game 3 in Portland: Saturday, April 22, 7:30 p.m.

Game 4 in Portland: Monday, April 24, 7:30 p.m.

Game 5 in Oakland*: Wednesday, April 26

Game 6 in Oakland*: Friday, April 28

Game 7 in Oakland*: Sunday, April 30

*if necessary

TM and © Copyright 2017 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Warriors Sign Free Agent Guard Nick Young

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OAKLAND (AP) — Veteran guard Nick Young is getting a new start with Golden State, agreeing to a $5.2 million, one-year contract Wednesday with the champion Warriors.

Young’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, confirmed the deal in a message to The Associated Press.

Kevin Durant welcomed Young to the Warriors with a tweet of a photo of the former Laker missing a 3-point shot.

In addition, forward Omri Casspi is joining the Warriors on a $2,106,470, one-year contract, a person with direct knowledge of the deal said Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because it hadn’t been announced. This will be the 29-year-old Casspi’s sixth team as he enters his ninth NBA season, including two separate stints in Northern California with the Sacramento Kings. He played for Sacramento, New Orleans and Minnesota last season, averaging 5.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 17.9 minutes.

Golden State’s familiar-looking roster is taking shape. Two-time MVP Stephen Curry is back on a record $201 million, five-year contract; NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant agreed Monday to a deal for approximately $53 million over the next two years; 2015 Finals MVP Andre Iguodala got a three-year contract with $48 million guaranteed; fellow key reserves Shaun Livingston for $24 million and three years, and David West on a one-year deal for the veteran minimum $2.3 million.

The 32-year-old Young last month declined the player option in his contract for next season with the Los Angeles Lakers, which would have paid him more than $5.6 million, and became a free agent. He had said in April that it was “60/40” he would leave the Lakers — preferring to be part of a playoff team.

Now, he’s on a super team.

Young averaged 13.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 60 games for the Lakers. He will provide the Warriors with the kind of depth they like on a long bench as coach Steve Kerr regularly rotates in his reserves to spell the stars.

Young’s agency, Priority Sports, also posted on Twitter: “Congratulations to @NickSwagyPYoung on your new contract with the @warriors! We are so happy for you!”

Durant Leads Warriors Past Lakers for 11th Straight Win

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OAKLAND (AP) — Kevin Durant had 33 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and four blocks, and the Golden State Warriors held off the Los Angeles Lakers 113-106 on Friday night for their 11th straight victory.

Rookie Jordan Bell recorded his first career double-double with season bests of 20 points and 10 rebounds, making a key layup with 2:45 to go and dunking a minute later. Klay Thompson scored 16 points and Draymond Green added 13 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists as he came back from a shoulder injury for the defending champs.

Kyle Kuzma scored 27 points and fellow rookie Lonzo Ball had 24 points with five 3-pointers in his first visit to Oracle Arena. Julius Randle added 21 points off the bench for Los Angeles, which snapped the Rockets’ 14-game winning streak Wednesday night in Houston.

Durant shot 9 for 20 in the Warriors’ 10th win in a row at home against the Lakers and sixth overall after Golden State outlasted the Lakers in overtime Monday night in Los Angeles.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Lakers coach and former top Golden State assistant Luke Walton had a nice chat near the Warriors bench after the final buzzer.

Still without two-time MVP Stephen Curry, Golden State got some much-needed reinforcements.

Green returned after missing five of six games with soreness in his right shoulder, while Andre Iguodala also was back after sitting out Wednesday night’s win against Memphis with flu-like symptoms.

The Lakers, who trailed by as many as 23 in the third quarter before getting within 84-72 going into the final 12 minutes, briefly took their first lead of the night at 89-88 on Randle’s 3-pointer with 7:43 remaining.

Los Angeles cut the lead to 86-81 on a steal by Josh Hart and Kuzma’s layup with 9:39 left, then 88-86 when Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hit a 3-pointer at the 8:09 mark.

TIP-INS

Lakers: C Brook Lopez missed his second straight game with a sprained right ankle. … Los Angeles shot 11 for 29 from long range after making 15 3-pointers against the Rockets two days earlier. The Lakers shot 33.3 percent in getting outscored 34-20 in the second quarter to fall behind 61-44 at halftime.

Warriors: Durant went 12 for 13 at the line — making his first seven — to go over the 1,000 mark for career free throws. … Shaun Livingston (sore right knee) and Zaza Pachulia (left shoulder soreness) were still out for Golden State. Pachulia missed his sixth straight game and seventh in eight, while Livingston sat out his third in a row. … Golden State went 13 for 24 (54.2 percent) in the second.

UNDER CAREFUL WATCH

Caldwell-Pope started and had 10 points, five rebounds and four assists. He is serving a 25-day sentence at an Orange County detention center after violating his probation on a drunken driving arrest, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.

Caldwell-Pope is allowed to leave the Seal Beach Police Department Detention Center for practice and Lakers games in California under a work-release program, but must wear a GPS monitor outside the facility.

Caldwell-Pope had missed two road games, and wasn’t to travel for games in Houston on Dec. 31 and Minnesota on Jan. 1.

NO CURRY FOR CHRISTMAS

While Curry could test his sprained right ankle with some on-court work Sunday, Kerr said it would be “irresponsible” to play him Christmas Day against the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals rematch.

“As much as everybody wants to see him, as much as I want to see him on the floor, we have to be smart with this — 99.999 percent that he’s out,” Kerr said.

UP NEXT

Warriors: Host the Nuggets on Saturday looking for a sixth straight home win in the series before welcoming the Cavaliers on Christmas Day in an NBA Finals rematch.

© Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed


Warriors Steve Kerr: LaVar Ball ‘The Kardashian Of The NBA’

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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Golden State coach Steve Kerr called LaVar Ball “the Kardashian of the NBA” on Monday night, and said he thinks the father of Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball has zero credibility.

Disgusted, Kerr made his remarks before the Warriors’ game against Denver. He was asked about LaVar Ball after the demonstrative dad told ESPN that the Lakers no longer want to play for coach Luke Walton, a dear Kerr friend and former top assistant with the Warriors.

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle, president of the National Basketball Coaches Association, has called the ESPN article “a disgrace” and LaVar Ball’s comments an “ignorant distraction.”

“Somewhere, I guess in Lithuania, LaVar Ball is laughing at all of us. People are eating out of his hands for no apparent reason, other than he’s become like the Kardashian of the NBA or something,” Kerr said. “And that sells, and that’s what’s true in politics and entertainment and now in sports. It doesn’t matter if there’s any substance involved with an issue, it’s just can we make it really interesting for no apparent reason? There is nothing interesting about that story.”

Kerr is in regular touch with Walton and hates to see him in this position. Ball claimed Walton “has no control” of the team and is too young for his job.

“I feel horrible for Luke, that’s my guy, he’s one of my best friends,” Kerr said. “He shouldn’t have to deal with this. But to me one of the things about the NBA is it’s always been a haven from the parents. The guys who coach high school are the ones who really have to deal with the parents.”

“I’ve never had to talk to a parent who was upset about playing time. I’m sure there are plenty out there but they don’t have a voice in the NBA. But for whatever reason we’re giving this guy a voice and Luke’s got to deal with it, and it’s a shame. He’s handling it great. He’s doing all he can. It’s just part of his gig, unfortunately.”

Andre Ingram’s Long Road To The NBA

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By Matt Citak

The NBA has reached the final week of another regular season, and each of the league’s 30 teams has one of two mentalities. Playoff teams are preparing themselves for postseason play, while lottery teams are getting ready for the long offseason.

For players that play for teams in the bottom half of the standings, the final few games often don’t hold much significance. The playoff hunt is over, and within the next few days, they’ll be clearing out their lockers.

The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the postseason weeks ago, but Tuesday night’s loss to the Houston Rockets was anything but insignificant.

For one man, it was a dream come true.

Andre Ingram was drafted into the G League on November 1, 2007. He spent the next 10 years playing in the NBA’s development league, logging time with the Utah Flash, Los Angeles D-Fenders, Perth Wildcats, and South Bay Lakers.

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Andre Ingram #20 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after making a three pointer in the second half of the game against the Houston Rockets on April 10, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California.

Andre Ingram (Photo Credit: Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

Throughout his time in the G League, Ingram refused to give up on his dream of one day making the NBA. The 6-foot-3 guard kept his head held high and put in the work each and every day. Ingram’s effort led to him setting the all-time G League record for most three-pointers made, while also ranking second all time in games played. Off the court, Ingram tutored young students in math for years just to keep his NBA dream alive

On April 9, all of his hard work finally paid off when the Lakers signed the 32-year-old for the team’s final two games.

If this were where the narrative ended, it would already make for a feel-good story. But what Ingram accomplished during Los Angeles’s loss Tuesday night was nothing short of amazing.

Before Ingram even stepped onto the court, everyone inside the Staples Center understood that this was an incredibly special moment. As Ingram was checking into the game, Rockets star Chris Paul walked over from Houston’s bench to pay his respects to the rookie.

When was the last time you saw a player walk over to greet and congratulate an opponent before they checked into their first game?

But what Ingram did once on the court truly put the icing on the cake.

The 32-year-old made his first four shots in front of the home crowd, including three from behind the three-point line. Ingram finished the game with 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including 4-of-5 from deep, and 3 blocks. After each shot made, the Staples Center crowd would serenade him with “MVP” chants, all while the league’s likely actual MVP, James Harden, watched from the opposing bench.

While it makes for an amazing story, Ingram’s performance will go down as one of the strongest Lakers’ debuts in team history. His 19 points were the most by a Laker in his first career game since 1993, when Nick Van Exel scored 23. In fact, only Van Exel, Magic Johnson (26 points in 1979) and Jerry West (20 points in 1960) had more productive debuts with the storied franchise.

But Ingram’s success on Tuesday night goes beyond the Lakers. For players making their NBA debut after the All-Star break, his 19 points were the most in over 50 years, second only to Danny Finn’s 28 points in 1953.

Following his magical performance, several players took to social media to congratulate Ingram, including Isaiah Thomas, Jeremy Lin, Jarrett Jack, Kyle O’Quinn, and even Kobe Bryant. No matter what team you play or cheer for, just about everyone across the country was pulling for Ingram on Tuesday.

Andre Ingram is a true inspiration for anyone chasing their lifelong dream, showing us that hard work and determination, can make almost anything is possible.

Now let’s see what he can do as an encore in Los Angeles’s season finale on Wednesday.

Matt Citak is a contributor for CBS Local Sports and a proud Vanderbilt alum. Follow him on Twitter.

Lakers Forward Kyle Kuzma Thanks ‘The Rock’ For Helping Him Add Muscle This Summer

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Ryan Mayer

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made a visit to speak to the Los Angeles Lakers this season as part of Vice President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson and General Manager Rob Pelinka’s “Genius Talk” series. The impassioned speech that Johnson delivered apparently resonated with young forward Kyle Kuzma who has begun to add some bulk this offseason and he’s thanking “The Rock” for it.

 

Instagram Photo

 

Kuzma exploded onto the scene during his rookie season this year after being taken with the 27th overall pick in last June’s draft posting 16 points and six rebounds per game in over 30 minutes of action per night. In addition to hitting the weights, it looks like Kuzma has been working on his post moves in preparation for next season.

LeBron James Signs $154 Million Deal To Join The Lakers

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CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James is leaving home for Hollywood and an iconic team.

The Los Angeles Lakers have a new superstar — L.A.-Bron.

The NBA’s best player announced Sunday night that he has agreed to a four-year, $154 million contract with the Lakers, joining one of the league’s most storied franchises and switching conferences to try and dethrone the Golden State Warriors and grow his own legacy.

For the second time in his career, James is saying goodbye to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who drafted the teenage sensation from Akron in 2003 and have to be satisfied with winning just one title in the 11 years they had him.

Unlike his two previous forays in free agency, James did not drag out his decision and made the announcement less than 24 hours after NBA free agency opened.

This Summer of LeBron was barely a fling.

The game’s biggest star will now lead a young Lakers team — run by Lakers Hall of Famer Magic Johnson — that has been overmatched in recent years while rebuilding. But the Lakers will instantly rise with James, a three-time champion who after being swept by the Warriors in this year’s NBA Finals said he is still driven and very much in “championship mode.”

Los Angeles will also provide James with a larger platform for his business interests and social activism. He already owns two homes in Southern California and has a film production company.

This is the third time in eight years James has changed teams. After bolting from Cleveland in 2010, he returned in an emotional homecoming four years later, determined to make the Cavs champions. The 33-year-old had previously said he wanted to finish his career in Ohio, and although he’s leaving again, Cavs fans are more forgiving after he ended the city’s 52-year sport title drought in 2016.

Warriors Lose To Lakers In Preseason Matchup Against West Coast James

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SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — The Golden State Warriors fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in their preseason matchup in Las Vegas on Wednesday night, with the final score reading 123-113. LeBron James and the young Lakers held their own against the defending champions.

The Warriors played without Draymond Green, who sat out because of a knee injury but still traveled with the team.

This game was perhaps the most anticipated preseason matchup because it was a glimpse into how the Warriors would play against their longtime rival LeBron James in  his new West Coast environment.

Though he’s been busy with film and TV endeavors since joining the Lakers, James started off right where he left off after his amazing individual performance last season. He nearly had a triple double in the first half, and he capped off an electrifying half by draining a half-court shot at the buzzer with ease.

James finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in 18 minutes. The Lakers young core scored in bunches as well. Kyle Kuzma had 22 points and Brandon Ingram scored a team-high 26, with 15 of them coming from the free throw line.

The three All-Stars that the Warriors did have played well in the first half, mostly. Durant had 18 after two quarters but fouled out midway through the third. Stephen Curry finished with 23 points and Klay Thompson finished with 20 points, but there was no real source of offensive firepower elsewhere.

Damian Jones had a notable performance, especially playing against former teammate Javale McGee down low. Jones was the only Warrior to finish with a positive plus/minus. He had 7 points (3-3 FG) and had 5 steals.

The Warriors shot only 55% from the free throw line, while the Lakers shot 82.6% and were more aggressive in getting to the line all game. Much like usual, turnovers also plagued the Warriors; they committed 25.

The two teams will play again on Friday in San Jose, but James is not expected to play.

 

The Lakers’ LeBron Era Begins

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LOS ANGELES (CBSLA/AP) — It isn’t often Hollywood gets star-struck but the Los Angeles Lakers’ big offseason move to acquire LeBron James had Tinseltown in a tizzy. James is sure to grab the spotlight as he begins his quest for another NBA championship in a purple and gold jersey.

When LeBron James chose the Los Angeles Lakers, the burgeoning entertainment mogul realized many people would think he joined a mediocre team with a five-year playoff drought because he wanted to be in Hollywood.

James simply scoffs at the notion he’s thinking about anything but his day job as he begins the next chapter in one of the greatest careers in NBA history.

“My decision was based solely on my family and the Lakers,” James explained before his first full practice in purple and gold. “I’m a basketball player. I play ball. That’s what I do. When I do it at the level I do, everything else will take care of itself. As far as my business, those things have been taking care of themselves way before I even came out here.”

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers walks on the court during a stop in play in a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena on October 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Warriors 123-113.

LeBron James (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

After winning three championship rings while leading — and sometimes carrying — his last eight consecutive teams in Miami and Cleveland to the NBA Finals, the 33-year-old James’ new business is restoring a fraction of the Lakers’ traditional glory following the longest postseason absence in franchise history.

Two years after Kobe Bryant’s retirement tour mercifully ended, the Lakers are relevant again. The court-side celebrities and worldwide fans whose interest waned during this dour half-decade are back in force to see what LeBron can do in this unusual, intriguing situation.

The four-time league MVP brought along a contingent of NBA veterans: Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee, Lance Stephenson and Michael Beasley. They’re joining a young Lakers core with undeniable talent — Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart and rookie Moe Wagner — but zero NBA success.

James’ teammates and coaches say he has arrived with the gravity of a champion, but with none of the imperious attitude that could accompany a player of his accomplishments. He accepts his role as a leader, but he’s focused on making sure the Lakers feel like a team, not a bunch of players in orbit around him.

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers high fives Rajon Rondo #9 during a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on October 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.

Rajon Rondo and LeBron James (Photo Credit: Harry How/Getty Images)

James also realizes this particular Hollywood project is even bigger than him: The Lakers have made no secret of their plan to entice a second superstar, likely younger than James, to join them in free agency or by other means. The upcoming season is a showcase of this team’s long-term potential with the right addition next summer.

“Winning makes it more fun, but we haven’t won anything yet,” coach Luke Walton said. “We come into practice and it isn’t loosey-goosey because we’re expecting to win games. We’re coming into practice knowing that if we want to win games, we have to do things a certain way. Hopefully when we get to games, that leads to us winning, and that would be fun. But we’re not there yet.”

More things to watch during an eventful season in LA:

RONDO AND LONZO

Rondo is eager to be a mentor to Ball, the Lakers’ gifted second-year point guard. They’re watching film and studying together as Rondo attempts to share the roots of his tenacity and the fruit of his experience. Ball hasn’t participated much in camp while he recovers from knee surgery, but once the youngster is fully healthy, their partnership will be fascinating to watch.

Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second half of a game against the Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center on January 5, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.

Lonzo Ball (Photo Credit: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

BALL HANDLES

Speaking of point guard skills, the Lakers have a wealth of ball-handlers at nearly every position. After James was often forced to do it all on offense in Cleveland, almost anybody on the floor for these Lakers could bring the ball up, run the break or create offense off the dribble. Walton envisions an up-tempo, free-flowing offense mixing concepts from Golden State and Boston. At the very least, James should be spared some of the heavy work after 15 mostly lengthy NBA seasons.

WORK HARD PLAY HARD

The Lakers’ transition from a full-scale rebuilding project to a potential playoff contender has changed the tone of the franchise, particularly in practice. Walton still spends ample time educating his younger players on the fundamental aspects of his scheme, but the Lakers’ veteran leadership is accelerating the youngsters’ growth, Walton said. “(The young players) are a big part of our future here, so it’s important that we still develop them,” Walton said. “It’s just a different style of developing now. It’s not letting them play 35 minutes and letting them learn from their mistakes, play through situations. Now it’s, ‘Look, this is what we’re doing,’ and if we’re not doing it right, we’ve got a lot of guys on this team where you can come out and watch other people do it. We’re getting to the same point, just teaching it with different lessons.”

CURTAIN RAISER

After the Lakers open the season in Portland on Oct. 18, James will make his Lakers home debut against the mighty Rockets on Saturday, Oct. 20. Staples Center court-side tickets are going for five-figure markups on secondary reselling sites, and no seat in the building is available for under $200. The Lakers’ vast popularity in LA waned only slightly during their recent struggles, and the Lakers are once again the hottest sports ticket in LA, even with the Dodgers in the playoffs and the NFL’s Rams rolling through a perfect start to the season.

ROUT: Lakers Crush Warriors In Prime-Time Christmas Showdown

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OAKLAND (AP) — LeBron James prides himself in his durability, being available night after night, game after grueling game.

That’s why the Lakers star is so mad he got hurt.

The Los Angeles Lakers lost LeBron in the third quarter to a strained left groin then went out and beat the two-time defending champions without him Tuesday night, getting King James’ 17 points, 13 rebounds and five assists before the injury in a surprising 127-101 rout of the Golden State Warriors.

“I take a lot of pride in it,” James said of always playing. “That’s why it (angered me) not to be able to go back into the game. It’s more than anything being available to my teammates, being available to my coaching staff. That’s something I take more personal than anything. Hopefully it’s not a long thing.”

James grabbed at his left groin area with 7:51 left in the third after slipping under the Warriors’ basket while trying for a loose ball. He tried to stretch it out, awkwardly walked toward the Lakers bench trying to loosen up before leaving on his own though gingerly out the tunnel for the locker room.

“I wasn’t able to go back into the game, obviously. I’ll get an MRI tomorrow and see what’s up,” James said. “With me with injuries, I’m never too concerned about them. I was able to walk off on my own power. I felt a pop, see if I could stretch it a few times, see if it would relieve but it didn’t. … I did a couple exercises to see if I could continue to go but I didn’t feel like it would benefit my team or me. So I came back and got a jump start on the rehab.”

He is scheduled for an MRI exam Wednesday and coach Luke Walton is preparing to be without James on Thursday night in Sacramento.

James has played in 156 straight games overall and 116 in the regular season. And he’s not about to guess whether he will have to miss time.

Stephen Curry made consecutive 3s shortly after James exited, and the Warriors got within 78-76 at the 2:48 mark of the third — but Kyle Kuzma and the persistent Lakers stayed at it every possession. Curry wound up with 15 points but the home fans had seen enough well before the final buzzer and headed out for the rest of Christmas.

“They played like they had nothing to lose. They played like they had a free swing,” Curry said. “Everybody who touched the ball was aggressive. They just had a different look in their eye and we weren’t able to match that. They went out and won the game, that’s basically it.”

Kuzma contributed 19 points with a pretty baseline 3 late, Ivica Zubac had 18 points and 11 rebounds and Rajon Rondo 15 points and 10 assists off the bench as the Lakers snapped an 11-game losing streak on the Warriors’ home floor since a 118-115 overtime win Dec. 22, 2012. Los Angeles also ended a seven-game skid overall in the rivalry with its first win in the series since March 6, 2016.

James made it look easy early on shooting over Jonas Jerebko and Kevon Looney. James hit a turnaround jumper at the 4:39 mark of the second quarter to put the Lakers ahead 52-37 and L.A. led 65-50 at the break.

It was James’ second straight Christmas game at Oracle Arena after playing here with the Cavaliers last year and losing 99-92.

Walton — a former Warriors top assistant and dear friend of Steve Kerr — got some time with his Hall of Fame dad, Bill, before the game and a few moments to catch up with Curry and share holiday greetings in the hallway after the two-time MVP’s warmup routine.

Kevin Durant, playing on a tender left ankle, had 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Andre Iguodala came off the bench and made his initial five shots and 7 of 9 by halftime on the way to a season-high 23 points while also handling some of the load defending James.

Golden State shot just 9 for 36 from deep, Curry going 2 of 8 and Durant 3 for 8.

MCGEE’s RING DELAYED

Lakers center JaVale McGee was still sick with a respiratory infection and missed his fifth straight game, didn’t travel and missed his scheduled moment to receive his championship ring. That will now happen Feb. 2 when the Lakers return to Oracle Arena.

McGee was one of three big men who rotated in Steve Kerr’s rotation on the way to a repeat title.

“I’m happy for JaVale. He’s getting more of a chance to play with the Lakers than he did with us,” Kerr said. “We had a lot of centers play a really important role for us the last couple of years. He was fantastic and we loved having him here. Wish he was here and that we could give him his ring today, but we’ll do it next time. Very happy for him and his success this year.”

TIP-INS

Lakers: Zubac shot 9 for 10. … The Lakers had lost three of four, so this meant a lot. … Los Angeles improved to 5-6 on the road vs. the Western Conference. … Tyson Chandler, who had been questionable with back spasms after he missed Sunday’s game against Memphis, returned and played 15-plus minutes.

Warriors: Iguodala reached double figures for the fourth time this season. … Curry and Draymond Green each picked up two early fouls, and Green fouled out with 5:36 left. He was limited to four points, five assists and five rebounds.

UP NEXT

Lakers: At Sacramento on Thursday.

Warriors: Host Portland on Thursday.


Lakers Play Scrooge To Warriors Fans Holiday Cheer

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OAKLAND (KPIX 5) — It’s become a Bay Area tradition. The Warriors and Lebron James have met four consecutive years on Christmas days.

But this year, Lebron wasn’t visiting with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was wearing the uniform of the hated Los Angeles Lakers. And, even though he left with a groin injury in the third quarter, James and his teammates through a damper on the Warriors fans festive mood with a stunning 127-101 victory.

“We’re stoked to be here,” said Travis Clayton as the clock ticked down to tip-off.
 
This was the second Christmas Clayton was cheering on the Warriors. This kind of holiday rematch is not the norm in the NBA – but it’s become almost predictable for Bay Area fans.
 
“I’ve been to the last four Christmas games, and it’s kind of just a tradition now,” Said Duke Knepp.

But as the clock ticked down, the disappointed fans streamed out of Oracle Arena.
 
“The Warriors are walking through the season right now, they only get serious during the playoffs,” said Dwight Skinner. “So it’ll be interesting and then you got that LA, Bay Area dynamic”
 
Win or lose, it was also about giving back for the Warriors.

The team treated 32 students from Oakland public schools to a day of surprises as part of their “Season of Giving” campaign. They opened presents presented by the players. They received Fitbits and Steph Curry sneakers.
 
“We don’t celebrate Christmas, so this is my first present and I actually like it,” said Riyadh Albanna.

Warriors Expect Cousins Debut During Jan. LA Road Trip

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SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — DeMarcus Cousins, the Warriors’ fifth All-Star, could join the team before January ends.

Multiple reports surfaced Tuesday evening claiming that the team aims for Cousins’s debut to be on Jan. 18 on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Cousins’s return to the court comes at a much-needed time for the Warriors (26-14, 2nd in the West), who are currently bone-dry at the center position. Starter Damian Jones was sidelined due to a torn pectoral and Kevon Looney has had to make up much of the deficit.

28-year-old Cousins, a highly skilled post player who can space the floor with his outside shooting, will be a much-welcome addition to the Warriors’ All-Star-studded roster.

Head coach Steve Kerr said that Cousins’s looming return comes as a result of his scrimmaging looking “much better.”

Cousins previously practiced with the Santa Cruz Warriors, the Warriors’ G-League affiliate, to get some intense run before beginning real-time practice with the first squad.

Thompson Ties Consecutive 3Pt Record, Leads As Dubs Blowout Lakers 130-111

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LOS ANGELES (CBS SF/AP) — The Golden State Warriors faced a Lebron-less Lakers squad on Monday evening and shot them out of their own home arena. Klay Thompson, who is an LA native, tied an NBA record by draining 10 consecutive threes before finally missing one.

Thompson finished with 44 points, his season high, to lead the Warriors on the way to their eighth straight win, which was also their seventh straight road win.

Thompson had 23 points in the third quarter, connecting on seven 3s as the Warriors stretched their lead to 36 points. He finally missed from deep late in the period.

Kevin Durant added 20 points and Stephen Curry had 11 points and 12 assists, going 2 of 10 from 3-point range for Golden State.

Emblematic of his quiet offensive night, Curry came dribbling in alone for a fast-break dunk, but slipped and fell, drawing gasps from the crowd. He scrambled to his feet, got the ball back and put up an air ball.

Ivica Zubac led Los Angeles with 18 points. Brandon Ingram added 17 and Kyle Kuzma had 16.

The Lakers were without their primary ball-handlers and playmakers in LeBron James, Lonzo Ball and Rajon Rondo. They fell to 5-9 without James, whose left groin strain has forced him out for the longest stretch of his 16-year career.

Coming off a split in two straight overtime games, the Lakers kept it close in the first half, trailing 65-55 at the break.

But Thompson fired up a 3-pointer — the first of Golden State’s nine in the third — and the Warriors went on to outscore the Lakers 45-25 to lead 110-80 going into the fourth.

Golden State’s sharpshooting silenced the crowd and allowed the Warriors to sit four of their five starters in the fourth, leaving DeMarcus Cousins in for a bit until he also went to the bench.

Cousins had eight points, nine rebounds, five assists and four fouls in his second game for the Warriors since being out nearly a year with a severe knee injury.

The Warriors have made 141 3-pointers to 93 for opponents during their eight-game winning streak.

© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Warriors Close In On West’s Top Seed With Blowout Win Over Lakers, 108-90

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — DeMarcus Cousins had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and the Golden State Warriors rolled past the Los Angeles Lakers 108-90 on Thursday night in pursuit of the No. 1 seed in the West.

With four regular-season games remaining, the Warriors own the best record in the West (54-24) and have a two-game lead over idle second-place Denver. The defending NBA champions also hold the tiebreaker over the Nuggets in the race for the top seed.

Kevin Durant added 15 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Stephen Curry finished a quiet night with seven points on 3-of-14 shooting and 10 rebounds. Curry and fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson were a combined 4 of 16 from 3-point range.

Johnathan Williams led the Lakers with 17 points and a career-high 13 rebounds off the bench. JaVale McGee had 13 boards to help the Lakers outrebound Golden State 62-51.

The Warriors set the tone in the first quarter when they shot 64% from the floor and led by 27 points. They made 7 of 12 3-pointers.

The Lakers missed all 10 of their 3-point attempts in the first. Their 12 points were a season low for any quarter.

Los Angeles outscored Golden State 30-21 in the second when its shooting improved to 32% from the field, but still trailed 60-42 at halftime.

Quinn Cook had 12 of his 18 points in the second for the Warriors, who won their third in a row and fifth in six games.

Draymond Green, Thompson, Durant, Cousins and Curry dominated the third, outscoring the Lakers by 10 points to take a 94-66 lead into the fourth. Damion Lee’s 3-pointer gave Golden State its largest lead of 34 points.

The fourth quarter was nothing more than a nationally televised audition among the Lakers’ bench for future jobs with team owner Jeanie Buss leaving early. The Warriors also let their reserves finish it off.

TIP-INS

Warriors: They won the season series, 3-1. … They’ve won 10 of 11 against the Lakers, including the last five in LA. … G/F Andre Iguodala (left toe soreness) sat out. … C Andrew Bogut and G Shaun Livingston rested on the front end of a back-to-back set. … Thompson (20,252) moved past Wilt Chamberlain (20,231) into eighth on the team’s all-time minutes list.

Lakers: F Kyle Kuzma (left foot peroneal tendinitis) missed his third straight game. Coach Luke Walton said it’s not been decided whether Kuzma will sit out the last three games of the season. … Already shut down for the season is LeBron James, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram. … James wore a black T-shirt with the likeness of late rapper Nipsey Hussle under his suit jacket.

UP NEXT

Warriors: Host Cleveland on Friday in the Warriors’ last back-to-back of the regular season.

Lakers: They’re the visiting team against the Clippers on Friday.

© Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Ex-Warriors Coach Luke Walton Reportedly Sued For Sexual Assault

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SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — Former Golden State Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton is reportedly being sued by a woman claiming he sexually assaulted her in his hotel room in 2016.

The initial report by TMZ on Monday said the victim is Kelli Tennant, a former sports reporter at Spectrum Sportsnet LA. TMZ said that, according to legal documents, Walton forced himself upon Tennant after she came up to his Santa Monica hotel room to discuss a book she was writing.

At the time of the alleged assault, Walton was still with the Warriors; it reportedly happened in April 2016, shortly before he joined the Los Angeles Lakers as their head coach for the 2016-2017 NBA season.

On April 12 this year, Walton was fired by the Lakers as a result of a lackluster season, but he was immediately hired by the Sacramento Kings and introduced as their head coach last week.

“We are aware of the report and are gathering additional information. We have no further comment at this time,” the Kings said in a statement on Monday evening.

The Warriors also put out a statement about the allegations: “We became aware of the alleged incident and story this evening and are in the process of seeking more information. We’ll have no further comment at this time.”

The highlight of Walton’s time with the Warriors was leading the team to a 24-0 start in 2015 during head coach Steve Kerr’s absence (caused by a back injury) to start off their record-breaking 73-9 season.

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