LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry is still the NBA's best theater

SAN FRANCISCO — Frustration was boiling for Stephen Curry. Until it boiled to the surface. Until he let out a roar. Until he tore his sweater from the collar to the 30.

He had scored 46 points on 35 shots, allowing just three free throws in his 43 minutes. He hit the game-tying layup at the end of regulation. In the final minute of the first overtime, he forced a turnover and then hit a huge corner 3, setting up Klay Thompson's tying 3 that kept the Warriors alive. In the second overtime, Curry's final points of the night came from 25 feet from the top with 4.7 seconds left, giving the Warriors a point.

As he backpedaled, he left his follow-through hanging in the air. Spent too much for a more elaborate party. The NBA's leader in clutch points delivered another 19 in these double overtimes, including 10 in the second overtime. Most nights it would have been enough.

MOM, THERE GOES THAT MAN ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/KsIABjnkfV

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 28, 2024

But on the other team, Curry's partner was in splendor. His most able-bodied and brave enemy. Le Bron James. They have exchanged heartbreak and hugs over the years. James, whose Lakers eliminated Curry's Warriors from the playoffs last year, dealt Curry more heartbreak.

The 39-year-old James beat a rookie nearly half his age off the dribble, blew past another young, spry athlete and committed to a strong attack at the rim. He made the mistake and, to interrupt his spectacular night, hit a pair of free throws to give the Lakers the win, 145-144. James' 36 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists in nearly 48 minutes accused his birth certificate of fraud.

Not winning like they used to, they both need everything they have to stay in the race, and they both hope to find crucial help to return them to the realm of contenders. But on Saturday it turned out that Curry and LeBron are still fascinating. This coming February will mark 10 years since LeBron's buzzer-beating 3 against the Warriors at Oracle in Oakland debuted “The Silencer” and sparked must-see theater from this duo. All these years later, when they share a court, it's still the best theater in the NBA.

“It's something that you can really immerse yourself in when you're done playing,” LeBron James said during his on-court interview, “and that you can watch with your grandkids and say I'm playing against one of the best players ever played. play this game. Steph came up to me after the match and said, 'How does it keep getting better? How do we keep getting better?' I think it's just a real testament that we put the work into the game, we're true to the game, and the game continues to give back to us.”

James and D'Angelo Russell ensured that another close game slipped through the hands of the Warriors. But this time it wasn't so much about what the Warriors didn't do. This loss wasn't due to a staggering turnover, like the heartbreaking loss to Sacramento two nights earlier. Or a questionable coaching decision. Or because they fell apart due to an attack. Or even because of missed shots.

Yet one of their best efforts only counts as a near victory. At ease. The Warriors are now 15-13 in clutch games with Curry (0-4 without him). They are five games under .500 and still on the outside of the postseason field. They can play as well as anyone, but don't win as often as the better teams.

“Our whole season,” Curry said, “we've had some tough breaks, some self-inflicted wounds. Some games that you clearly should have won and that leave you feeling disappointed. … We fought all the way. We stuck with it, even when things weren't going our way, and gave ourselves a chance. Under regulation, it comes down to the last possession, three or four, both overtimes. It just shows that we really want it. We're playing with a bit of desperation and trying to change the tide of our season, but we just don't have anything to do that right now.”

But their peak is still high enough to intoxicate. Saturday was a gallery of their best.

Curry, of course. Draymond Green was every bit the difference-maker he has always been, on both ends, and the combustible will that often burns him tonight kept the Warriors shooting. Thompson was good in the second half after a brutal first half. His defense against LeBron, his shooting, his competitive spirit. Jonathan Kuminga was ready and had an impact. His 22 points and nine rebounds in 43 minutes showed that he can play at this level. In fact, he should play a bigger role in the offense.

Head coach Steve Kerr is confident a run is coming. His Warriors are ready for a breakthrough. They have one more game on this homestand, against Philadelphia, before a road trip with three losing teams.

It will only be possible if the Warriors' determination is stronger than their jersey fabric.

“Our guys were great, they were great,” Kerr said. “The way they fought, competed and stayed in the game. Made so many plays. It just felt like we deserved to win that game the way the guys fought. So many plays that could have gone either way. That just felt like a game we deserved to win. As long as we keep playing the way we played tonight, I think we will turn this around and have a great season. I really believe that.”

The Lakers are in the same situation, albeit a little closer to where they want to be than the Warriors thanks to a more stable foundation with James and an elite version of Anthony Davis. Even their best looks dignified. The Warriors seem to be getting that out of them.

But doing their best at certain times, in games, is not their problem. It's sustainability. It is the consistency and versatility of their greatness that is missing. It seems like they can't do it every night. It doesn't seem like they can summon it in multiple ways.

The Lakers and the Warriors.

Saturday conspired to bring out the greatness of both teams. A primetime game. One of great importance for both middle teams. The presence of the Hall of Fame all over the floor. The appreciation for the stage, the moment and to still be on it.

They have delivered a thriller. They lived up to their name. Several times, Curry took matters into his own hands and performed like a superstar. But on this night, LeBron James had the ball last.

So Curry left the court overwhelmed with frustration. With his jersey in his own hands.

“It actually makes it worse,” Curry said. “Makes, misses or whatever, there's energy in what we're trying to do. So the good news is if we can continue to do that, you'd like to think you can build momentum, and that's our hope. But it's just a tough… back-to-back game at home where you play well enough to win and you just can't get it done.”

GO DEEPER

Warriors have found themselves in a spiral, but may have finally found a setup to pull them out

GO DEEPER

'I was lost': Ricky Rubio looks back on his NBA career and the dark days that took place there

(Top photo of LeBron James and Stephen Curry after Saturday's game: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)