Warriors put the Lakers on notice in big win in L.A.

Curry and King James battled it out, but the Warriors supporting cast gave L.A. the business in a big win that could help determine playoff matchups in the long run.

Dear Dub Nation,

Lock. The. Hell. In.

What we witnessed last night at the Crypt wasn't just a regular season win. It was a statement delivered with the subtlety of a Draymond Green technical foul. Our Warriors marched into Los Angeles, stared down the Lakers' superteam experiment, and walked out with a 123-116 victory that felt like Game 1 of something bigger.

Let's put this in proper context: When the Warriors knocked off LeBron's defending champion Lakers on opening night of the 2021-2022 season, it was a message to the NBA that the Warriors might just be back (and spoiler alert: they were, hoisting the Larry O'Brien five months later). When the Lakers knocked off the Warriors in six games to end the 2023 season, it was a signal that the Warriors dynasty might just have run out of gas. Last night's win over the Luka/LeBron era Lakers in L.A. with the playoffs around the corner? It's a signal that these Warriors (who were gasping for air before the All-Star break) might just be a contender.

Chef Curry cooking up 37 points? Expected. Brandin Podziemski draining EIGHT threes en route to 28 points including a half-court buzzer beater? Oooo that's the secret sauce that makes this team dangerous. The sophomore is developing the kind of confidence that has Lakers fans experiencing PTSD flashbacks to Jordan Poole circa 2022.

And then former #7 overall pick Jonathan Kuminga playing 25 minutes off the bench and giving you 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists on 7-of-12 shooting from the field? Bahahahaha.

Let's talk about what matters: this Warriors team is evolving into something fascinating. With six games left and the Western Conference standings tighter than Steph's handles, we're watching a squad that's finding its identity at precisely the right moment. The 4-2 road trip wasn't perfect, but winning four straight to close it out? That's championship DNA showing itself.

The Butler experiment deserves our attention. Jimmy only put up 11 points, but his presence has fundamentally changed our defensive identity. Watching him, Draymond Green, and Moses Moody suffocate the Lakers' offense was like seeing the old Dubs' switching defense reincarnated…only with more snarl. The Lakers shot just 45.3% despite LeBron James’ 33-point effort, and Doncic looked more confused than a rookie trying to guard Steph off a screen.

Speaking of Luka, how about that 0-for-6 from beyond the arc. Zero threes made for the first time since the 2022-23 season. Now I know he’s a monster and some of it can be attributed to him having an off night, and he still tallied 8 rebounds and 7 assists, but the Warriors rendered him effectively harmless on a night the Lakers sorely needed him.

Draymond was everywhere defensively. Disrupting passing lanes, communicating switches like a field general, and finishing with 5 steals. When he's playing like that, with this supporting cast around him, the ghosts of 2015-19 start whispering "why not us?" in every opponent's ear.

Here's the brutal truth about these Warriors: they're becoming exactly the team nobody wants to face in the first round. Imagine preparing for a seven-game series against a squad with:

• The greatest shooter ever still averaging 44.5 PPG in April

• A defensive mastermind who can guard 1-5

• A playoff-tested closer in Jimmy Butler

• Young legs like Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga providing the energy

• And a team-wide hunger to prove the dynasty isn't dead

The Lakers got a taste of what that looks like last night. If the standings hold and we meet them in a 4-5 matchup, they'll get a seven-course meal of it.

So Dub Nation, this is your call to arms. The regular season is winding down, but the real season—our season—is just beginning. The Western Conference is a bloodbath, but we've got warriors who've survived these waters before.

It's time to believe again. And the road to proving this resurrection is real continues tonight when we host the Denver Nuggets. Another test, another chance to show the league that this isn't just a late-season mirage. Folks, we may be looking at the return of a dynasty. GET ACTIVATED DUB NATION! LOCK IN!

Splash on,

A True Believer