Los Angeles @ Golden State preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 22, 2017 ) L.A. Lakers 106, Golden State 113

The Golden State Warriors lost their first two games without All-Star point guard Stephen Curry and look to overcome his absence Wednesday when they host the Los Angeles Lakers. Curry sprained his right ankle Thursday and will miss at least six contests in total with a re-evaluation slated for March 20.

The Warriors were routed by the Portland Trail Blazers and lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the games without Curry but All-Star small forward Kevin Durant was quick to point out there is a bigger picture in play. "The season's always a tune-up for the playoffs," Durant told reporters. "And if we had won this game (against Minnesota), we wasn't going to spray champagne in the locker room and be excited on the way back to the Bay (Area). So in a loss we can't hang our heads. We just got to keep playing, keep working, keep figuring things out, and we'll be fine." The Lakers are soaring with eight victories in their past 10 games after posting a 112-103 home victory over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday. Second-year small forward Brandon Ingram, who scored a career-best 32 against the Warriors earlier this season, will miss his seventh straight game because of a groin injury.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Spectrum Sports Net (Los Angeles), NBCS Bay Area (Golden State)

ABOUT THE LAKERS (31-36): Rookie forward Kyle Kuzma injured his right ankle in the first half and later exploded by scoring 24 of his 26 points in the second half while also collecting 13 rebounds. "I thought his competitive spirit was great," Los Angeles coach Luke Walton said after the contest. "He gave everything he had to the game. Kept telling me 'Coach, I'm ready to go' after he hurt the ankle." Power forward Julius Randle also had 26 points and 13 rebounds and guard Isaiah Thomas scored 23 points as the Lakers reached at least 100 points for the 22nd consecutive game.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (51-16): Curry isn't the only ailing player as small forward Andre Iguodala (three games with a wrist injury), power forward David West (four due to a cyst on his right arm) and rookie power forward Jordan Bell (three, ankle) also have been sidelined. Coach Steve Kerr is pleased with his club's effort despite what he terms "a little bit of a tough stretch" and All-Star power forward Draymond Green believes the discouragement will be overcome with a victory or two. "It's tough when you're missing that many key guys," Green told reporters, "but I think those guys will get back in time enough for us to find a rhythm that we need."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Warriors are averaging 118.7 points in three wins over the Lakers this season and have won the last six meetings.

2. Los Angeles rookie PG Lonzo Ball is averaging five points on 4-of-22 shooting over the past two contests.

3. Golden State All-Star SG Klay Thompson was diagnosed with a fractured right thumb on Wednesday and will miss at least two weeks, while Green was ruled out with a shoulder injury.

PREDICTION: Warriors 124, Lakers 121