The Lakers Won the Middle 24 Minutes 68-35. That Is the Whole Problem.
The opener was close for one quarter; the next two exposed a roster with no second creator and no one at the rim, and the reinforcements due Friday fix only half of that.
The Warriors lost 127-105 in Los Angeles after trailing by just one point after the first quarter. Brandin Podziemski and Charles Bassey were upgraded from out on Thursday, both aiming at Friday's home game against Memphis.
Where did it go?
Over the second and third quarters the Lakers outscored Golden State 68-35. By Dalton Johnson's first-quarter count, Curry had 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting. He finished with 23 on 7-of-15 in 21 minutes, so he did not make a field goal after that first quarter. Once Los Angeles took Curry away, nobody else could bend the defense. Brandon Williams shot 3-of-12. The Athletic reported that Yaxel Lendeborg told Luka Doncic he sucks. The rookie's more telling number was minus-21 in 29 minutes.
Nobody guarding the basket
Walker Kessler went 12-for-12, all of it inside the arc, with nine rebounds. That is what this team looks like without Kristaps Porzingis, who is out with an illness and not expected back before December 1. ESPN's Anthony Slater reported the Warriors are exploring trades for him, and Hoops Rumors reported Milwaukee is among the teams contacted. Bassey's return would add size at center. It would not add a rim protector of Porzingis' standing.
What Podziemski changes
Podziemski played all 82 games last season and averaged 13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He is the guard best suited to organizing possessions when Curry is being trapped or is on the bench, and those were exactly the stretches that sank Wednesday's game. With Jimmy Butler III out until January and Moses Moody until December, Podziemski is the second creator this team has.
Can he handle the week?
Memphis comes to Chase Center on Friday, and the Warriors play at Phoenix on Saturday night. After that they visit Denver on Monday and Minnesota on Wednesday. The open question is whether Podziemski's back and Bassey's knee can hold up on a back-to-back right away, or whether Kerr has to ration their minutes in the very games where he needs them most.
When will Brandin Podziemski return for the Warriors?
He was upgraded from out on Thursday with a back issue and is targeting Friday's home game against the Grizzlies.
Why did the Warriors lose to the Lakers on opening night?
The Lakers outscored them 68-35 over the second and third quarters. Curry made no field goals after the first quarter, and Walker Kessler went 12-for-12 inside.
