KLAY THOMPSON scored 22 of his 36 points in the first quarter and Stephen Curry added 17 before sitting out the fourth to rest his ailing leg in the Golden State Warriors’ 109-88 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.

    Kobe Bryant sat out his third straight game with a sore right shoulder for the Lakers, whose three-game winning streak ended in Golden State’s 33rd win in 35 games.

    Curry stayed in the game after taking a blow on his left leg in the third period, but briefly limped with obvious frustration on his face.

    The reigning MVP missed two games with a bruised lower left leg last week before returning for Golden State’s last two games.

    Curry went to the locker room before the fourth.

    Draymond Green’s streak of three straight triple-doubles ended with nine points, 12 rebounds and five assists, but the Warriors never trailed while beating the Lakers at Staples Center for only the fifth time in franchise history.

    Jordan Clarkson scored 23 points for the Lakers. Rookie guard D’Angelo Russell sat out with a sore throat, missing a game for the first time in his career.

    The Lakers’ three-game winning streak was their longest since February, but the loss dropped their record to 8-28, the second-worst in the NBA.

    Thompson had 22 points in the first 11 minutes, hitting four 3-pointers and going 9 for 14 from the field.

    Golden State maintained a healthy lead despite not shooting a free throw in the first half, and the Warriors toyed with the Lakers a bit more before scoring 22 consecutive points over 5 1/2 minutes in the third quarter to put it away.

    (SD-Agencies)