On Saturday night at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the Golden State Warriors fell 105-99 to the Lakers in a game marked by the absence of standout players Stephen Curry and Luka Dončić. Despite missing these stars due to injury, Moses Moody Warriors performance stood out as he led Golden State’s scoring with 25 points, demonstrating resilience amid challenging circumstances.
LeBron James, still leading the Lakers at age 41, played a pivotal role in the victory, dominating the third quarter and finishing the game with 20 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds. The Warriors fought hard but were ultimately unable to overcome the deficit in free throws and turnovers during the final period.
Warriors Struggle to Complete Fourth-Quarter Comeback
The Warriors entered the fourth quarter trailing 79-71, trying to replicate their impressive comeback from two nights earlier, when they rallied to beat the Suns despite a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit. This time, Golden State closed the gap to 87-86 with a three-pointer from Gui Santos, but the Lakers responded with a 13-2 run to push their lead to 12 points.
Golden State’s defense forced seven turnovers in the fourth quarter, but the team failed to capitalize effectively. The Lakers also converted 30 free throws compared to the Warriors’ 11, a disparity that played a decisive role in the outcome as the Warriors remained unable to fully close the gap.
Warriors’ Overreliance on Three-Point Shooting Backfires
From the start, Golden State heavily relied on three-point attempts, taking 51 shots from beyond the arc out of 92 total field-goal attempts. While this aggressive approach aimed to exploit the Lakers’ weaker outside defense, their efficiency from distance was low, with only 27.5 percent of three-pointers finding the net.
In the first quarter alone, the Warriors took 17 three-point shots but made just two, limiting their lead to a narrow 21-20 heading into the next period. Despite shooting a strong 63.2 percent in the paint, the Warriors’ struggle to connect on long-range shots ultimately hindered their offensive flow and scoring consistency.
Moses Moody Leads Warriors’ Offensive Efforts
Even on a night where Golden State’s offense sputtered, Moses Moody provided a bright spot. Moody accounted for five three-pointers, contributed significantly on free throws, and played 39 minutes—the most on the team. His stat line included 25 points on 8-of-17 shooting, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block, with a plus-5 plus/minus rating.
Two nights after showcasing his defensive skills in a crucial victory, Moody’s offensive output helped keep the Warriors competitive throughout the game.
Stay hot, Moses 🔥pic.twitter.com/urtGjJypvU
— Warriors on NBCS
Moses Moody 4-point play over LeBron 😤pic.twitter.com/Zdg35zT8g6
— Warriors on NBCS
LeBron James’ Leadership Anchors Lakers’ Win
LeBron James demonstrated his veteran leadership by energizing the Lakers during a critical third quarter, outscoring the Warriors 38-29 in that period alone. His 12 points and three assists in just eight minutes helped shift momentum decisively in Los Angeles’ favor. James logged a team-high 35 minutes, underscoring his importance to the Lakers’ continued dominance despite fading star power.
Warriors Look Ahead to NBA All-Star Break
The Warriors, with a 28-25 record following this road loss, now prepare for the NBA All-Star break starting Thursday. With key players like Stephen Curry sidelined due to right knee soreness and Luka Dončić out with a strained left hamstring, Golden State must rely on emerging talents such as Moses Moody to sustain their playoff push. The team’s ability to adjust its shooting strategy and build on strong individual performances will be critical in the games ahead.
Stay hot, Moses 🔥pic.twitter.com/urtGjJypvU
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) February 8, 2026
Moses Moody 4-point play over LeBron 😤pic.twitter.com/Zdg35zT8g6
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) February 8, 2026
