Charles Bassey delivered another double-double on Thursday night as the Golden State Warriors fell 119-103 to the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center.
The center finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds, continuing a strong stretch of production in an injury-thinned rotation.
Bassey said the approach has remained unchanged regardless of situation or score.
“I’m just going out there just to play hard, man,” Bassey said. “Regardless of we know we all down by this today, so obviously wanted to get a win, but man, just going out there playing hard, maximize every opportunity I got.”
He stressed that his focus is on using every possession to impact the game in any way possible.
“So that’s what I’m doing, man,” Bassey said. “Just maximize my opportunity out there and just trying to help my team win.”
Golden State continues to deal with availability issues, and the forward-center role has expanded as the roster rotates through injuries and late-season adjustments.
Despite the result, Bassey said the mentality remains the same heading into the next game.
“But we got a loss today,” he said. “So we got another opportunity tomorrow.”
Bassey also confirmed he played through an ankle issue after appearing on the injury report earlier in the day.
“I’m good,” he said. “I’ve played through ankle stuff before, but they didn’t want me to play, but I’m like I got to get the minutes, man.”
He explained the decision process included multiple checks before tipoff.
“I told him I can go test it this morning,” Bassey said. “Came in for treatment. Tested it again this afternoon and I was good to go.”
The center said he ultimately pushed to be available despite hesitation from the team’s medical side.
“I told him I’m good to play cuz even though he didn’t want me to play, but I was ready to play,” Bassey said.
The Warriors were outrebounded 38-33, but Bassey’s interior presence remained one of the key positives in a game defined by offensive efficiency from Los Angeles.
Golden State continues its push toward the play-in tournament, with rotation stability still a major factor as the final games approach.
