With an opportunity to move two games ahead of the pace set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls in their record-setting 72-10 season, the Warriors stumbled against the unlikeliest of opponents: the Lakers.
The defending champions started slow and sloppy and pretty much stayed that way Sunday in a 112-95 loss to the lowly Lakers at Staples Center that keeps the Warriors (55-6) one game ahead of that Bulls team through 61 games.
It was, by the records of the teams, the biggest upset in NBA regular-season history.
The defending champions committed 20 turnovers, leading to 22 Los Angeles points. The Warriors were outshot overall (47.1 percent to 40.2), from 3-point distance (37.5 percent to 13.3) and from the free throw line (95.5 to 81.0). The Lakers also grabbed more steals (12-5) and blocked more shots (6-3).
That’s how you lose to a team despite entering the game with the largest advantage, by win percentage, in NBA history.
Steph Curry scored 18 points to lead the Warriors and Klay Thompson finished with 15. No other Warriors scored more than nine points (Draymond Green).
Los Angeles (13-51) won for only the second time in the last four weeks, as guards Jordan Clarkson (team-high 25 points) and D’Angelo Russell (21) outscored Curry and Thompson. Seven Lakers in all scored in double figures.
Sports
STANDOUT PERFORMER
In the most shocking loss of the season for the Warriors, there were no standouts.
Green finished with nine points, 10 rebounds and nine assists –- and seven turnovers.
Shaun Livingston was 3-of-3 from the floor in 15 minutes.
Andrew Bogut totaled seven assists and seven rebounds in 20 minutes.
TURNING POINT
After an Ian Clark 3-pointer pulled the Warriors within three (47-44) with 4:05 left in the half, the Lakers went on a 16-5 run spanning the end of the second quarter and beginning of the third to go up 63-49 48 seconds into the second half.
The Warriors got no closer than eight the rest of the way.
INJURY UPDATE
Warriors: F Andre Iguodala (L hamstring tightness) was listed as questionable and declared out prior to tipoff. C Festus Ezeli (L knee surgery) was listed as out.
Lakers: F Larry Nance Jr. (R knee soreness) was listed as probable and declared available before tipoff. F Kobe Bryant (R shoulder soreness) and G Jordan Clarkson (L patellar tendon strain) were listed as questionable and declared available prior to tipoff. F Anthony Brown (R foot stress reaction) and G Lou Williams (L hamstring strain) were listed as out.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Warriors return to action Monday night, when they play host to the Orlando Magic at Oracle Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:40.
