LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Stephen Curry returned from a sprained ankle to score 31 points and reserve Klay Thompson added 26 to spark Golden State over the Los Angeles Lakers 128-121 in a National Basketball Association showdown on Saturday.

The Lakers, who lost forward Anthony Davis after the first quarter to a poke in the left eye, squandered a 40-point performance by LeBron James in falling to the Warriors.

"A big win for us," Curry said. "I don't know the last time we won in here against them. Big deal."

Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Curry missed Golden State's past three games and the Warriors are only 1-5 this season without him.

The 36-year-old guard and four-time NBA champion returned in spectacular fashion, adding six rebounds and five assists while hitting 12-of-24 shots from the floor, and 3-of-10 from 3-point range.

James, who hit 15-of-23 shots, added eight points and nine assists and filled in after Davis went to the locker room after the first quarter and did not play again.

"They always going to talk about me and him," Curry said of James. "It was about our total group tonight. For us, it takes a whole team to win and we needed it — we needed it bad."