Lakers upset the Golden State Warriors, 112-95

The Los Angeles Lakers upset the Golden State Warriors, 112-95, Sunday afternoon at Staples Center.

There really is no other way to put it.

After all, the Lakers have the second-worst record (13-51) in the NBA and the defending NBA champion Warriors have the best record (55-6) in the league.

The Lakers had lost their previous three games to the Warriors this season by an average of 24.3 points per game.

But the Lakers won this game in convincing fashion, opening a 23-point lead in the fourth.

Both Kobe Bryant (sore right shoulder) and Jordan Clarkson (strained tendon in left knee) returned to play when the Lakers hosted the Warriors.

Clarkson led the Lakers with 25 points and Bryant had 12.

D’Angelo Russell had 21 points and Julius Randle had his 27^th double-double of the season with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

Marcelo Huertas had a career-high nine assists, and he had 10 points.

It was Bryant’s last time playing against the Warriors and NBA superstar Stephen Curry and the game was nationally televised.

After the game, Warriors Coach Steve Kerr and players Curry and Draymond Green all spoke with Bryant and hugged him.

When Nick Young hit a three-pointer for a 91-75 Lakers lead that forced the Warriors to call a timeout with 9:42 left, the fans could sense something special about to happen.

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Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson drives past Warriors forward Anderson Varejao during a game March 6 at Staples Center. Clarkson led all scorers with 25 points.

  (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

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Kobe Bryant looks to pass while being defended by Golden State guard Stephen Curry on March 6 at Staples Center.

  (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

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Warriors guard Stephen Curry drives to the basket as the Lakers defense looks on during the second half of a game on March 6 at Staples Center.

  (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

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Kobe Bryant had 12 points with three assists in the Lakers’ 112-95 win over the Golden State Warriors on March 6 at Staples Center.

  (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

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Lakers forward Brandon Bass puts up a shot against the Warriors during a game on March 6 at Staples Center. Randle finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

  (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

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Rookie D’Angelo Russell dribbles up the court during the Lakers’ 112-95 win over the Golden State Warriors on March 6 at Staples Center.

  (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

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Kobe Bryant (24) drives into Golden State guard Stephen Curry (30) during a game against the Warriors on Sunday at Staples Center.

  (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

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Kobe Bryant hugs teammate Jordan Clarkson during the Lakers’ 112-95 win over the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on March 6.

  (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

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Kobe Bryant loses a shoe during the Lakers’ 112-95 win over the Golden State Warriors on March 6 at Staples Center.

  (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

Or at least they hoped it would.

When the Lakers increased their lead to 102-83 with 4:37 left, the shock was starting to wear off and fans were starting to believe it could be done.

Kerr pulled his starters, sensing that this one was over for his team.

His team shot a season-low 13.3% from three-point range (four for 30) and the Warriors turned the ball over 20 times.

Curry had 18 points, but he was just six for 20 from the field, one for 10 from three-point range. Klay Thompson had 15 points, but he was just seven for 20 from the field, 0 for 8 from three-point range.

Follow Broderick Turner on Twitter @BA_Turner