LeBron and Steph Clash: Historic Wins in NBA’s Final Stretch

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — LeBron James and Stephen Curry faced off in a riveting encounter on April 3, 2025, as the Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena. This high-stakes matchup not only showcased two of basketball’s greatest players but also featured teams vying for playoff positioning in a tightly contested Western Conference.

The Lakers, currently holding the 3rd seed, came into the game with a record of 46-29, riding a wave of momentum after winning two straight. They were led by Luka Doncic and James, who have provided an offensive spark as the regular season approaches its conclusion.

Meanwhile, the Warriors entered the matchup looking to secure their position as the 5th seed with a record of 44-31. They have surged in recent weeks, largely thanks to Curry’s stellar performance, including a recent game where he scored 52 points against the Memphis Grizzlies.

In this thrilling game, the Warriors emerged victorious with a final score of 123-116. Brandin Podziemski starred for Golden State, hitting 8-of-10 three-pointers and scoring 28 points, while Curry added 37 points and dished out several assists. For the Lakers, James contributed a solid performance with 33 points and 9 assists.

The Warriors have shown their championship pedigree in the final stretch of the season, with Curry playing at an elite level. His recent history of scoring has elevated Golden State’s offense, and the team has now secured a crucial win in their quest for playoff glory.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their historic run, winning their 11th straight game with a 119-103 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominated the court, scoring 33 points alongside 6 rebounds and 3 steals.

The Thunder’s overall record improved to an impressive 64-12, marking one of the best seasons in NBA history. This season, they have outperformed every team in the league and are on track to secure home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

MIAMI, Fla. — The Miami Heat ended the Boston Celtics‘ nine-game winning streak with a convincing 124-103 victory. Tyler Herro led the Heat with 25 points and 9 assists, while Bam Adebayo added 21 points. With this victory, Miami extended their win streak to six games, improving their playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics stay in second place but now face challenges as the playoff picture tightens. Jaylen Brown scored 24 points in a losing effort as Boston tries to regain momentum before the postseason.

HOUSTON, Texas — In other notable actions on the same night, the Houston Rockets clinched their first playoff spot since 2019-20, defeating the Utah Jazz 143-105. Jalen Green spearheaded the charge with 22 points. Houston’s resurgence has put them in a solid position, now 50-27 on the season and holding onto the 2nd seed in the West.

In a close game, the Dallas Mavericks received a late game-winning floater from Anthony Davis against the Atlanta Hawks, clinching a 120-118 win, which keeps them competitive in the West’s playoff race.

As the regular season nears its end, every game becomes crucial for playoff hopefuls. The Warriors and Lakers’ rivalry remains intense, while the Thunder and Rockets build momentum as they approach the postseason.