Russell Shines in Return to Lakers After Trade by T-wolves

D'Angelo Russell (0) of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles past Jordan Poole (3) of the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on Feb. 11, 2023. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO—D’Angelo Russell had 15 points, six assists and five rebounds in his Lakers return after being acquired from Minnesota at the trade deadline, Dennis Schroder scored 26 points, and Los Angeles beat the Golden State Warriors 109–103 on Saturday night in a rivalry missing the star power of injured greats LeBron James and Stephen Curry.

Schroder made a key layup with 1:17 to play after Donte DiVincenzo’s 3-pointer cut the Lakers’ lead to 105–101. Anthony Davis had a double-double of 13 points and 16 rebounds and blocked one of his three shots on a late jumper by Klay Thompson.

“It’s a huge win. I couldn’t be more proud of my team,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said.

Anthony Davis (3) of the Los Angeles Lakers shoot over Kevon Looney (5) of the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on Feb. 11, 2023. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Jordan Poole had 29 points and six assists with a key go-ahead three-point play with 6:23 remaining, but the Warriors floundered down the stretch of the fourth quarter again. He was whistled for an offensive foul with 45 seconds left.

Poole scored eight straight points early in the fourth with back-to-back 3-pointers that tied the game at 87 with 10:37 left. He also dished off to Ty Jerome for a layup with 5:01 to play.

James sat out his second straight game with a left foot injury since becoming the NBA’s all-time scoring leader Tuesday against Oklahoma City, while reigning NBA Finals MVP Curry was sidelined for a third in a row with a left leg injury.

Also playing his first game for Los Angeles following a trade from Utah, Jarred Vanderbilt contributed 12 points and eight rebounds as the last-place Lakers snapped a three-game losing streak. Fellow new addition Malik Beasley missed all six of his 3s and shot 2 for 9 on the way to four points in his first game for the Lakers after being traded by Utah.

James’ Health

A scan done on James’ troublesome left ankle and foot showed no serious issue.

Coach Darvin Ham expects to see James back on the floor before the All-Star break. When asked whether James might need to be sidelined through the break, Ham offered, “No, I don’t think he’ll allow us to do that.”

General manager Rob Pelinka said earlier Saturday that nothing was seriously wrong for James, who topped former Lakers star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during Tuesday’s 133-130 home loss to Oklahoma City.

“LeBron did have some imaging on his foot injury, and we’re grateful that things came back clean and good.” Pelinka said.

The game with Golden State marked James’ seventh sidelined by soreness in the left ankle.

Payton II Update

The Warriors hadn’t made an announcement regarding Gary Payton II’s physical and whether they would go through on an agreed trade with Portland to bring the defensive-minded guard back to Golden State.

“Obviously, this whole thing has been strange. It is what it is,” coach Steve Kerr said. “There is not a whole lot to do or say, so we are just waiting it out and seeing how it plays out.”

Tip-Ins

Lakers: Other new acquisitions Mo Bamba and Davon Reed didn’t play. The Lakers opened the season at Chase Center with a 123–109 loss on Oct. 18 and Ham has been pleased with the progress, saying “I'd give us a B. I think it’s been good. It’s year 1.” He also said: “We’ve shown a lot of resolve. We’ve shown a fierce competitive spirit.” LA improved to 2-9 against the Pacific Division having lost the previous two.

Warriors: Poole joined Draymond Green (14) with double-digit technicals this season. Golden State had won the last two vs. LA and three in a row in the series at home. The Warriors have to monitor the number of games for its two-way players, so Anthony Lamb is back with the G League Santa Cruz team. The Warriors will still play the Lakers twice at Crypto.com Arena.

Up Next

Lakers: At Portland on Monday night.

Warriors: Host Washington on Monday after beating the Wizards 127–118 on the road Jan. 16.

By Janie McCauley