Warriors Outgun Lakers in Thrilling Showdown: Steph Shines, Podziemski Surprises, and Playoffs Heat Up
The lights were bright. The stakes were high. And the stars? They were everywhere—on the court, in the stands, and in full effect.
In perhaps the most thrilling game of the season, the Golden State Warriors came into Crypto.com Arena and gave the Los Angeles Lakers a bitter 123-116 defeat on April 3, 2025. It wasn't any ordinary regular-season game—it was a playoff preview. And boy, did it not disappoint.
Steph Does Steph Things
You know the drill: big game, big moment… and Stephen Curry arrives like clockwork.
The two-time MVP went for 37 points and 6 assists in a show of why he's still the heart and soul of Golden State. The Lakers kept trying to close the gap, but Curry always had an answer—whether it was a step-back three or a slicing layup through traffic. Vintage Steph.
Introducing Brandin Podziemski, the Breakout Star
If Curry was the engine, Brandin Podziemski was the spark.
The rookie performed an absolute clinic, recording a career-best 28 points and making eight three-pointers—yes, you heard that correctly. He even hit a half-court buzzer-beater to close out the first half, leaving fans and teammates stunned.
In a game that was star-studded, this young gun stole the show.
LeBron Reaches a Milestone, But It's Not Enough
On the other hand, LeBron James kept defying Father Time. He scored 33 points and reached the 11,000-point plateau as a Laker, joining just the 10th player in franchise history to achieve that. That's legendary stuff.
Austin Reaves also showed up big time, hitting a career-high nine threes and finishing with 31 points. But not everything clicked for L.A.—Luka Dončić had an off night, managing just 19 points and missing all six of his shots from deep.
The Turning Point
The Warriors built a 13-point advantage at halftime, with their red-hot shooting and good ball movement. The Lakers attempted to mount a rally in the fourth and closed the gap to a handful of points. But each time the momentum shifted, the Warriors had an answer.
The clincher? Another three-point shot by Podziemski with about 90 seconds remaining. That one quieted the crowd—and locked up the victory.
Why This Game Was Important (A Lot)
This was more than a big game—it was a must-win in the close Western Conference race.
The win puts the Warriors (45-31) one game behind the Lakers (46-30). Both teams are looking to skip the play-in tournament and secure a top-six playoff seed. Every victory matters from here on forward.
Celebrity Sight: Beckham Courtside
Spicing up the evening with some Hollywood panache was no other than David Beckham, who was seen taking in the action on the sidelines. Post-game, Curry presented him with a signed jersey, and the two legends exchanged a chill moment of respect. Only in L.A.
Final Thoughts
This game had everything—big names, buzzer shots, milestones, and playoff intensity. Curry reminded us that he's still got it, Podziemski made an introduction to the basketball community, and the Lakers proved they won't be going down quietly.
If this is what April basketball is like… just think about what May has in store.
