Los Angeles guard Steve Nash started Saturday night's 118-115 overtime win against the Warriors after missing the team's last 24 games.
Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said before the game that Nash would have no minutes limit and that proved to be the case as the two-time MVP logged 41 minutes, tallying 12 points and nine assists in the win.
"The guy is a winner," D'Antoni said of Nash after the game. "There was a difference before the game. He changes everything. He changes the whole perspective."
Like many pundits, D'Antoni thought the point guard's return would help all the Lakers and it certainly didn't hurt Kobe Bryant's scoring. Bryant went for 34 points and 10 rebounds in the win over the surprising Warriors (18-10).
"It's easy. It's very easy. It's beyond easy," Bryant said about playing with Nash. "You put two guys together who can do opposite things and it fits extremely well. When I get a rebound, I look to get the ball in his hands because I know I will be getting an easy shot."
The Lakers have now won four games in a row. They are just 13-14 overall, 5-8 on the road. Los Angeles will next host the New York Knicks on Christmas Day.
Information from ESPNLosAngeles.com's Dave McMenamin and The Associated Press was used in this report.