Coming off a disappointing loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, having dropped four of their last six games, and again shorthanded because JaVale McGee was out, the Los Angeles Lakers jumped all over the defending champion Golden State Warriors on Christmas.
Like he’s done so often this season and throughout his career, LeBron James spearheaded the attack, whether by creating for himself or teammates. The Lakers led by 13 points at the end of the first quarter and added to it in the second.
Then, while in the process of potentially taking control of the game for good, James suffered a strained groin in the third quarter and never returned.