Anthony Davis had 23 points (13 in the second quarter) and 15 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the defending champion Golden State Warriors 104-101 for a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.
Lonnie Walker IV’s 15-foot pull-up jumper answered Klay Thompson’s corner 3-pointer and put the Lakers back ahead for good with 1:53 left in the fourth quarter.
The Warriors got within 102-101 on Stephen Curry’s driving layup with 1:05 to play. They had the ball down 1, but Curry missed a 29-foot step-back 3-pointer with 17.3 seconds left that would have put them ahead. Walker followed with 2 free throws, and the Warriors got no closer.
During clutch time, the Lakers outscored the Warriors 10-7. Walker scored 6 of the Lakers’ 10 on 2 for 4 shooting and 2 for 2 at the line.
LeBron James had 27 points (16 in the paint), 9 rebounds and 6 assists, and Austin Reaves added 21 points. All 15 of Walker’s points came in the fourth quarter. The Lakers had 3 20-point scorers.
For the Warriors, Curry had 31 points, 10 rebounds, 14 assists and 3 steals.
The Lakers went 20 for 20 at the line to the Warriors’ 9 for 12.