Watch: Klay Thompson Ties Record, Lakers Lose Playoff Place After Warriors Loss

The Los Angeles Lakers dropped out of the playoff places after their 130-111 loss to the Golden State Warriors at the Staples Center on Monday night. It now takes their record to 5-9 without LeBron James, who is sidelined with a groin injury which he suffered against the same opponents on Christmas Day.

James has missed 14 games straight after suffering the injury and is not likely to return in the immediate future – he could well be out for the next week as he is yet to resume full-contact training. He is not willing to risk aggravating the injury and will only return when fully fit.

The Lakers were struggling without their star player with youngsters Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball unable to share the burden and win games consistently. They continue to play at home for their next three games which is against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers.

The Warriors, on the other hand, are strengthening their position at the top of the Western Conference by taking their record to 33-14 and are back to looking like the team everyone expected to dominate the league once again.

Steve Kerr’s team have been boosted by the return of DeMarcus Cousins, who missed the last one year with an Achilles injury and they now begin games with five All-Stars in their starting lineup. Stephan Curry and Kevin Durant have shouldered most of the scoring burden, but on Monday night it was Klay Thompson, who came to the fore.

The shooting guard was unstoppable on Monday night and despite sitting out the entire fourth quarter he finished the night with 44 points, three rebounds and two assists in 26 minutes. His accuracy on the night was unreal as he set an NBA record after going 10-for-10 from beyond the arc before missing his final attempt.

Thompson also completed 17 of his 20 attempts from the field and shot a season high in a single quarter when he amassed 23 points in the third quarter. It was Curry’s night to sit back and be the provider as he finished with 11 points and 12 assists.

“Took a couple of bad shots but they went in tonight,” Thompson told NBA on TNT after the win. “When you got the hot hand, you're just looking for that ounce of space. All you need is an inch or two.”

“We are locking in, we are here to defend our throne. We know how hard it’s going to be,” the shooting guard said after their eighth straight win of which seven have been on the road, which is the best in the NBA this season.

“Obviously they were shorthanded tonight being without one of the best players in the world and Lonz [Lonzo Ball], their point guard,” Thompson said referring to the absence of James. “Regardless it was a great win and we want to finish off this stretch stronger before the All-Star break because we know it’s going to be a battle down the stretch.”