In a gripping clash at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday night, the Los Angeles Lakers put up a valiant fight but couldn’t overcome a shaky performance from Luka Doncic, falling 123-116 to the Golden State Warriors. The defeat tightened the Western Conference playoff race, with the Warriors (45-31) closing the gap on the Lakers (46-30) as the regular season nears its final stretch.

Doncic, the Lakers’ prized acquisition, struggled mightily against Golden State’s suffocating defense. Known for his dazzling offensive wizardry, the Slovenian star managed just 19 points on a dismal 6-of-17 shooting night—his lowest output since February 25. The Warriors’ game plan disrupted his rhythm early, forcing missed shots and turnovers that left the Lakers scrambling to keep pace.

The game started with a whimper for Los Angeles, as a sluggish first quarter dug them into a hole they couldn’t fully escape. Despite flashes of resilience—cutting the deficit to five points in the final minute—the Lakers lacked the sharpness needed to seize control. A chaotic scramble after a Warriors turnover could’ve swung the momentum, but a costly Lakers miscue snuffed out their hopes.

Golden State’s Brandin Podziemski stole the spotlight with a jaw-dropping half-court buzzer-beater to close the second quarter, finishing with 28 points and eight rebounds. Stephen Curry, meanwhile, torched the Lakers for 37 points, passing franchise legend Jerry West on the NBA’s all-time scoring list in the process. “That’s The Logo,” Curry said postgame, nodding to West’s iconic status. “Very special.”

LeBron James (33 points) and Austin Reaves (31 points) kept the Lakers in the fight, their tenacity shining through even as officiating frustrations mounted. The team burned through two successful challenges by the third quarter, leaving them powerless when a late call went against them—a Curry layup upheld despite replay evidence of a kicked ball.

The loss exposed familiar flaws for Los Angeles: sloppy execution, emotional overreactions to missed calls, and an inability to sustain momentum. With only six games left, this matchup offered a sobering preview of a potential first-round playoff clash between these revamped rosters.

For the Lakers, it’s back to the drawing board. Doncic’s off night underscored the team’s reliance on his brilliance—and the steep cost when it falters. As the postseason looms, Los Angeles must find consistency to hold off a surging Golden State squad hungry to climb the standings. Fans are left wondering: can the Lakers harness their fight into a winning formula before it’s too late?

Hey, cricket fans! The IPL 2025 action is heating up, and today, all eyes are on the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are riding high after two stellar wins, and now they’re back home to take on Gujarat Titans (GT) in what promises to be a blockbuster showdown. With Virat Kohli on the cusp of a historic milestone and both teams hungry for glory, this match is one you won’t want to miss. Let’s dive into what’s at stake!

Can Royal Challengers Bengaluru Keep Their Winning Streak Alive at Home?

RCB has been on fire this season, kicking things off with a bang. They crushed Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets and then steamrolled Chennai Super Kings by a massive 50 runs—both away from home. Now, they’re stepping onto their home turf for the first time in IPL 2025, and the Bengaluru faithful are buzzing with excitement. Led by the cool-headed Rajat Patidar, RCB is sitting pretty at the top of the points table. But here’s the catch: the Chinnaswamy is a batting paradise with short boundaries, so their bowlers—like Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal—will need to bring their A-game to keep GT in check.

Virat Kohli’s Big Moment Looms in IPL 2025 Clash

All eyes are on Virat Kohli, and for good reason. The RCB superstar is just 83 runs away from becoming the first player to hit 8,000 runs in IPL history. After smashing an unbeaten 83 against KKR and a solid 33 against CSK, he’s in prime form. Facing Gujarat Titans, a team he’s dominated with 344 runs in five matches (including a century and three fifties), this could be the day he etches his name even deeper into the record books. Will the Chinnaswamy crowd witness history? We’re on the edge of our seats!

Gujarat Titans Aim to Spoil RCB’s Party in Bengaluru

Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans are no pushovers. After a shaky start with a loss to Punjab Kings, they bounced back with a commanding 36-run win over Mumbai Indians. Captain Shubman Gill will be itching to lead from the front, while Sai Sudharsan’s recent 63 shows their batting has firepower. Add in Rashid Khan’s spin magic and a pace attack featuring Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, and GT has the tools to challenge RCB’s momentum. They’ll be looking to exploit those small Chinnaswamy boundaries and turn this into a high-scoring thriller.

TCU Achieves First-Ever Elite Eight Appearance with Van Lith’s Record-Breaking Performance

In a landmark victory, TCU’s women’s basketball team secured its inaugural Elite Eight spot by defeating Notre Dame 71-62. The standout of the game was Hailey Van Lith, who delivered an exceptional performance with 26 points and nine rebounds. Her efforts not only led the team to victory but also set a new single-season scoring record for TCU at 663 points.

Van Lith’s dominance was particularly evident in the fourth quarter, where she single-handedly outscored Notre Dame 12-10, showcasing her ability to perform under pressure. Reflecting on the game, Van Lith expressed her commitment to playing with joy and without pressure, emphasizing her desire to give her all alongside her teammates.

The victory was celebrated by former teammate Angel Reese, who praised Van Lith’s achievement on social media by posting her initials, “HVL.” This acknowledgment highlights the respect and camaraderie within the basketball community.

TCU’s success was further bolstered by the contributions of Sedona Prince, who added 21 points to the scoreboard. The team’s collective effort and resilience were key factors in overcoming Notre Dame and achieving this historic milestone.

This game not only marks a significant achievement for TCU but also underscores Van Lith’s growing legacy in collegiate basketball, as she becomes the first player to reach the Elite Eight with three different teams.