The Golden State Warriors pulled off one of the most remarkable comebacks in NBA history on Friday night. After falling behind by 23 points in the first quarter, Golden State stormed back to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 112-95 at Chase Center, led by 31 points from Stephen Curry.
"Lakers vs Warriors" was the most-searched term in the United States on Friday night, with more than 500,000 searches, as the NBA Cup matchup turned into an instant classic.
Lakers vs Warriors Final Score
- Final: Warriors 112, Lakers 95
- After the first quarter: Lakers 38, Warriors 15
- Halftime: 53-53
- Competition: NBA Cup group play (Group C)
A Nightmare First Quarter
The game could not have started worse for Golden State. Luka Doncic was unstoppable early, scoring 21 points in the first quarter on 7-of-12 shooting, including five 3-pointers. The Warriors made it easy for him by committing 10 turnovers in the opening 12 minutes alone, and Los Angeles raced to a 38-15 lead.
At that point, the game looked like a repeat of the season opener, when the Lakers beat the Warriors by 22 points.
The Second-Quarter Turnaround
Golden State answered with a perfect mirror image. The Warriors won the second quarter 38-15, the exact score the Lakers had posted in the first, and the teams went to halftime tied 53-53.
The bench played a huge role in the turnaround. De'Anthony Melton finished with 16 points and Georges Niang added 11, giving the Warriors energy and spacing while the starters regrouped.
Curry Takes Over
In the second half, Curry took control. At the 6:22 mark of the third quarter, he buried a 3-pointer right over Doncic. Doncic answered with a 3 of his own moments later, but Golden State never gave back the momentum.
Curry finished with 31 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds. Along the way, he passed Dominique Wilkins (26,668 points) for 18th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
Brandin Podziemski added 21 points, six assists and five rebounds, giving Golden State a reliable second scorer.
Doncic's Big Night Falls Short
Doncic finished with 37 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, but he scored just 16 points after his scorching first quarter. Frustration showed late: Doncic picked up a technical foul in the third quarter, and teammate Matisse Thybulle was hit with one in the fourth.
The Lakers did take advantage of Golden State's mistakes. The Warriors finished with 17 turnovers, and Los Angeles turned them into 25 points. But after the first quarter, the Lakers could not find a consistent second scoring option to support Doncic.
A Comeback for the Record Books
According to the Associated Press, the Warriors' win set two notable marks:
- Largest margin of victory in the shot-clock era for a team that trailed by 20 or more points after one quarter. The previous best was also a Warriors game: a 124-110 win over the Chicago Bulls on March 4, 1976, after trailing 41-18.
- First team in the shot-clock era, including the playoffs, to trail by 23 or more after the first quarter and be tied or ahead at halftime.
Key Stats
| Player | Team | Points | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luka Doncic | LAL | 37 | 7 reb, 5 ast |
| Stephen Curry | GSW | 31 | 6 ast, 4 reb |
| Brandin Podziemski | GSW | 21 | 6 ast, 5 reb |
| De'Anthony Melton | GSW | 16 | Off the bench |
| Georges Niang | GSW | 11 | Off the bench |
What It Means in the NBA Cup
The NBA Cup is the league's in-season tournament, and group-play games count both toward the regular-season standings and the race for a spot in the knockout rounds. Group C also includes the San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings, so every win matters. For Golden State, beating a Western Conference rival after such a poor start could prove valuable when tiebreakers come into play.
Curry Climbs the All-Time List
Passing Wilkins is another milestone in a career that has already rewritten the record books. Curry is the NBA's all-time leader in 3-pointers made, and his climb up the overall scoring list shows how much his game has expanded beyond long-range shooting. Each passing week this season could move him closer to the top 15.
What's Next
Both teams play again on Sunday night. The Lakers host the Toronto Raptors, while the Warriors host the LA Clippers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Lakers vs Warriors?
The Golden State Warriors won 112-95 on Oct. 30, 2026.
How many points did Stephen Curry score?
Curry scored 31 points and passed Dominique Wilkins for 18th on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
How big was the Warriors' comeback?
Golden State trailed by 23 points after the first quarter and still won by 17.