Lakers fail to keep pace in second half, falling to Warriors, 116-98

For the first half of the basketball game, the Lakers competed with the reigning NBA champions.

Over the final 24 minutes, the Golden State Warriors showed why they’re still the best team in the league, running away for a 116-98 victory on Thursday night in Oakland.

Stephen Curry scored 26 points, making eight of 16 three-point shots, and the Warriors pushed a 52-49 halftime lead to a 14-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Kobe Bryant, playing his final career game in the Bay Area despite a sore Achilles’ tendon, received a warm ovation from the crowd as he checked out with 3:04 left in the game. Bryant finished with eight points in 28 1/2 minutes, missing 11 of 15 shots.

Jordan Clarkson led the Lakers with 22 points. Lou Williams scored 21 and D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle added 14 apiece.

Larry Nance Jr. collected a career-high six steals while scoring four points in 22 1/2 minutes. Both Tarik Black and Ryan Kelly were productive, finally given some rare time on the court.

The Warriors got 17 points from Shaun Livingston, 15 from Leandro Barbosa and 12 from Harrison Barnes. After a slow start, Golden State shot 50% from the field, 39.4% from three-point range (13 of 33) and 85% from the free-throw line (17 of 20).

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Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant hugs Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton after their game on Thursday.

  (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)

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Lakers’ Kobe Bryant waves to the crowd in Oakland after being taken out in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.

  (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, reacts after shooting a three-point jumper as Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson looks on during the first half on Thursday.

  (JOHN G. MABANGLO / EPA)

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, center, shoots a three-point jumper as Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson, right, defends during the first half on Thursday.

  (JOHN G. MABANGLO / EPA)

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Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant (24) shoots over Golden State’s Brandon Rush (4) during the game on Thursday.

  (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)

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Los Angeles Lakers’ Julius Randle (30) and Golden State’s Harrison Barnes (40) go for a loose ball during the game on Thursday.

  (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)

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Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, right, embraces Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) prior to the game on Thursday.

  (Ben Margot / AP)

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Los Angeles Lakers’ Julius Randle, right, and Golden State Warriors’ Harrison Barnes reach for a rebound during the first half on Thursday.

  (Ben Margot / AP)

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Los Angeles Lakers’ Jordan Clarkson (6) goes up for a shot against Golden State’s Andrew Bogut (12) and Stephen Curry (30) during the game on Thursday.

  (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)

The Lakers shot 44.4%, 16.7% (4 of 24) and 58.3% (14 of 24), respectively.

Draymond Green returned to play after resting Wednesday night in Denver. The Lakers were without Brandon Bass (foot).

The Lakers (9-32) next travel to Utah, visiting the Jazz (17-22) on Saturday night. The Warriors improved to 37-3, bouncing back from a loss to Denver.

Email Eric Pincus at Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.