NBA Preseason: Warriors Come Back From 20 Down to Beat Lakers 101-89 in Kessler’s Debut
The Golden State Warriors erased a 20-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 101-89 in an NBA preseason game in Las Vegas, spoiling Walker Kessler’s Lakers debut.
Kessler Makes Strong First Appearance
Walker Kessler finally made his Lakers debut after missing the team’s first three preseason games. The big man started and played less than 16 minutes, but he made a quick impact. He scored 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds. He also had a big block and a putback dunk in the second quarter.
Both teams were missing key players. The Lakers rested Luka Doncic. The Warriors played without Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis and Moses Moody.
Reaves Leads Lakers to Big Lead
Austin Reaves was the best player on the court for most of the night. He scored 28 points with four three-pointers and added seven assists, but he also had seven turnovers.
The first quarter ended 29-29. The Lakers then won the second quarter 34-21 to lead 63-50 at half-time. Early in the third quarter, a Reaves three-pointer helped push the lead to 20 points at 70-50.
Warriors Fight Back
The Warriors answered with a 14-0 run led by Yaxel Lendeborg. They won the third quarter 22-13 and cut the gap to 76-72.
Golden State took control in the fourth quarter. They opened with a 12-2 run to take the lead, and the Lakers had to call two timeouts as the run grew to 16-4. The Warriors won the final quarter 29-13 to complete the comeback.
Warriors Beat Lakers Again
Lendeborg finished with 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Brandin Podziemski also scored 17 points. Stephen Curry had 11 points with three three-pointers.
It was the second time the Warriors have beaten the Lakers this preseason. On October 7, they won 124-98 at home.