Klay Thompson reigns in LA as Warriors rout Lakers

LOS ANGELES - Klay Thompson set an NBA record by making his first 10 attempts from 3-point range, scoring 44 points as the Golden State Warriors beat the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers 130-111 on Monday night to match a season high with their eighth consecutive victory.

Thompson finished 10 of 11 from beyond the arc as the two-time defending champions won their seventh straight road game. The star guard had 23 points in the third quarter, connecting on seven 3s as the Warriors stretched their lead to 36 points. He finally missed from deep late in the period.

Kevin Durant added 20 points and Stephen Curry had 11 points and 12 assists, going 2 of 10 from 3-point range for Golden State.

Emblematic of his quiet offensive night, Curry came dribbling in alone for a fast-break dunk, but slipped and fell, drawing gasps from the crowd. He scrambled to his feet, got the ball back and put up an air ball.

Ivica Zubac led Los Angeles with 18 points. Brandon Ingram added 17 and Kyle Kuzma had 16.

The Lakers were without their primary ball-handlers and playmakers in LeBron James, Lonzo Ball and Rajon Rondo. They fell to 5-9 without James, whose left groin strain has forced him out for the longest stretch of his 16-year career.

Coming off a split in two straight overtime games, the Lakers kept it close in the first half, trailing 65-55 at the break.

But Thompson fired up a 3-pointer - the first of Golden State’s nine in the third - and the Warriors went on to outscore the Lakers 45-25 to lead 110-80 going into the fourth.

Golden State’s sharp shooting silenced the crowd and allowed the Warriors to sit four of their five starters in the fourth, leaving DeMarcus Cousins in for a bit until he also went to the bench.

Cousins had eight points, nine rebounds, five assists and four fouls in his second game for the Warriors since being out nearly a year with a severe knee injury.

The Warriors have made 141 3-pointers to 93 for opponents during their eight-game winning streak.

Tip-ins

Warriors: All 12 players scored. ... Their other eight-game winning streak this season was Oct. 22 to Nov. 5. ... They evened the season series 1-1, having lost 127-101 on Christmas.

Lakers: Coach Luke Walton hopes James is able to return this week when the Lakers have five straight games at Staples Center. ... Ball is out four to six weeks with a left ankle sprain. ... Rondo (right ring finger surgery) has played in contact practices but is still favoring his injured hand. ... Josh Hart had six points, one assist and four fouls starting in place of Ball. ... Jack Nicholson made a rare courtside appearance. Mahershala Ali, Snoop Dogg, James Franco, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao were in the crowd.

Up next

Warriors: At Washington on Thursday in the third of a four-game trip.

Lakers: Host Minnesota on Thursday.