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Golden State Warriors take Game 5, all eyes turn to possible series-altering injury

ByPeter O'Keefe|
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 10: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after a three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter in game five of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 10, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 10: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after a three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter in game five of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 10, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Golden State Warriors have placed the pressure back on the Los Angeles Lakers, doing their job in ensuring the series extends to a Game 6 after a 121-106 win at Chase Center on Wednesday night.

The defending champions used a 16-5 run to close the first-half as the catalyst for victory, opening up an 11-point lead thanks to an explosive scoring output that saw them pour in 70 points on the back of 11 threes and 54.2% shooting from the field overall.

The Golden State Warriors have avoided elimination for now after a 121-106 victory in Game 5, with all eyes now turning towards a potentially series-altering injury to Anthony Davis.

Coming off a Game 4 loss where Stephen Curry was largely a one-man show on offense, the Warriors needed an out-of-the-box performance from somewhere else. They got that through more aggressive displays from Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green, with the pair combining for 30 first-half points.

It was less an offensive-minded game in the second-half, but Golden State kept Los Angeles at bay with the visitors never getting within nine across the final 24 minutes. Curry shot poorly (just 3-for-11) from three-point range again, though he lifted when it mattered most with nine fourth-quarter points to ensure the Lakers wouldn’t repeat their comeback heroics from Monday.

Wiggins was arguably the player of the game however, attacking the paint consistently on his way to 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists on 10-for-18 shooting — his best output of the playoffs to date. Green joined he and Curry at the 20-point mark, shooting 7-for-11 from the field and 5-5 from the free-throw line in an offensive display reminiscent of 6-7 years ago.

After a productive performance in Game 4, Gary Payton II’s role in the starting lineup again worked effectively for Steve Kerr and the Warriors. The 30-year-old had 13 points on 4-for-5 shooting, added six rebounds including three offensive, and was a game-high +25 in plus/minus.

Golden State made just two threes in the second-half, both of which came late in the fourth-quarter. With Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole continuing their shooting struggles (21 points, 8-for-26 combined), there’s plenty of room for improvement for the Warriors as the series shifts back to Los Angeles.

The Lakers will be sweating on a potentially series-altering injury to Anthony Davis, with their star big man copping a stray arm to the head from Kevon Looney mid-way through the final period. According to TNT’s Chris Haynes, Davis had to be “escorted away in a wheelchair for further evaluation.” If Davis were to be diagnosed with a concussion, then the 48-hour turnaround would likely see him miss Game 6.

Warrior fans will be hoping that isn’t the last time they see their team at Chase Center this season, with a win on Friday setting up a series-deciding Game 7 back in The Bay on Sunday.

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