🏀 "Guerrilla Warfare" in L.A.: Can Kerr’s System Survive Without Curry?

February 7, 2026

This is a classic Western Conference showdown with an atypical twist: the two biggest superstars are out! Crypto.com Arena will host a battle of strategies as the absences of Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic force others to step into the spotlight.

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🏀 The Battle in Los Angeles: Can Kerr’s System Thrive Without Curry?

🧠 The Tactical Puzzle: Efficiency vs. Volume

Tonight’s clash between the Lakers and Warriors is more than just a basketball game; it’s a statistical experiment. The Lakers are the most efficient team in the league (1st in FG% at 49.9%), meaning they rarely waste a possession. Conversely, the Warriors are the masters of organized chaos, leading the NBA in three-pointers made (16.5 per game) and ranking 6th in assists.

• The Problem: Golden State’s system, which generates those 28.8 assists, relies heavily on Stephen Curry’s "gravity." Without him on the floor, the Lakers can afford to defend closer to the rim, potentially neutralizing the Warriors' passing advantage.

🧱 The Battle for the "Glass Paint"

An alarming stat for both coaches is the fragility on the boards:

• Lakers (26th in rebounding) and Warriors (22nd in rebounding) are among the worst teams at securing the ball.

• Porzingis’ Absence is Critical: Without the Latvian center, the Warriors lose their best rim protector (4.5 blocks per game as a team, 22nd in the league). Deandre Ayton could be looking at a "20-20" night if the Warriors fail to collapse their defensive perimeter.

🎯 The Charity Stripe: GSW’s Life Insurance

If the game remains tight in the closing minutes, the statistics favor Golden State. The Warriors rank 6th in the league in Free Throw Percentage (81.1%), while the Lakers drop to 23rd (76.8%). In a duel missing the stars who usually close out games, "free" points from the line could be the difference between victory and defeat.

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🏀 Hospital Ward Duel in L.A.: Warriors and Lakers Meet Without Their Stars

Los Angeles, CA | February 7, 2026 - 7:30 PM

The NBA’s most media-heavy rivalry arrives in Hollywood, but this time without its headline protagonists. Both Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic (the Lakers' leading scorer this season with 32.8 PPG) will miss the encounter due to knee and hamstring issues, respectively.

📊 Quick Team Comparison

Statistic	Golden State Warriors	LA Lakers
Field Goal %	46.1% (24th)	49.9% (1st)
3-Pointers Made	16.5 (1st)	11.8 (23rd)
Free Throw %	81.1% (6th)	76.8% (23rd)
Assists PG	28.8 (6th)	25.1 (22nd)