usatoday
The NBA Cup's opening night featured a marquee point guard duel as Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic went head-to-head in a showdown between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers.
Doncic came out firing, pouring in 21 points in the first quarter to propel the Lakers to a commanding 38-15 advantage.
Golden State, however, refused to fold. Curry and company engineered a 38-15 run of their own in the second quarter, knotting the score at 53 by halftime.
According to statistical records, the Warriors became the first team in the shot-clock era (since 1954-55) to erase a deficit of 23 or more points after the first quarter and enter halftime tied.
The third quarter delivered the evening's signature moment. Curry isolated against Doncic, unleashing a series of dribble moves that sent the Lakers guard to the floor before the Warriors star calmly drained a three-pointer.
That play narrowed the Lakers' lead with 6:21 remaining in the third quarter.
Doncic, undeterred, responded with a bucket of his own on the ensuing possession, silencing the crowd.
Originally reported by usatoday.