On Monday night, the Los Angeles Lakers may have been as short-handed as any game this season. They also might have been at their best.

L.A. took on the Golden State Warriors without rotation mainstays Anthony Davis (calf strain), Marc Gasol (health and safety protocols), and Alex Caruso (mild concussion), along with deep reserves Jared Dudley (right MCL tear) and Kostas Antetokounmpo (health and safety protocols). It was about as lengthy as the team's status report has been in 2020-21.

Conveniently, though, thanks to a scheduling quirk, the Lakers were at their freshest, too (even without AC Fresh).

As Spectrum's Mike Trudell noted as L.A. demolished Golden State, 128-97, at Staples Center, the Lakers entered Monday's matchup about as well-rested as conceivably possible during this condensed 72-game regular season. L.A. benefited from a nine-day All-Star break — longer than most teams in the league — then returned to action on Friday, fending off the Indiana Pacers 106-100 at home, before getting two more days off over the weekend.

In other words: the Lakers took the Chase Center court having played one game over the 12-day span since falling to the Sacramento Kings (sans LeBron James) in the first-half finale.

Against a dreadfully disorganized Golden State defense, the Lakers played like their juice boxes were full. They relentlessly attacked the rim, whipped the ball around the court on offense, and flew around on defense, whether in zone or man.

Overall, L.A. shot 62.8 percent from the field, posted a season-high 36 assists on 49 field goals, and hit 11-27 from deep. They held Golden State to 43 percent shooting, out-rebounded the Dubs, 46-30, and dominated the points in the paint battle, 68-40.

Refreshingly, there was no hesitation behind the three-point line, especially from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. For this night, KCP broke out of his month-plus long shooting slump, draining 3-4 from deep with confidence.

“That’s the type of basketball we have to play while AD is out,” Kyle Kuzma said. “That’s one of the funner games we’ve had this season … the ball is moving, everybody’s touching it. They can’t really guard it.”

With two starters and one finisher (Caruso) out, the Lakers got a Klutch boost from an energized second unit led by Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and Talen Horton-Tucker.

Kuzma brought his usual energy and all-around contributions, in addition to 17 points (7-11 FG, 3-5 from three), five rebounds, and four assists. Harrell dropped a season-high 27 points on 11-of-14 from the field, including numerous rim-rattling slams.

“The basketball Gods will reward you when you play the right way,” Harrell said postgame.

Horton-Tucker put up 18 points and a career-high 10 assists as he attacked the paint all night. Most importantly, he consistently made good decisions once he got into the lane and effectively used his slicing-and-dicing to generate looks for his teammates (and swiftly answered my one big question for him heading into the second half).

“Talen, Kuz, and Trez all had terrific nights,” Frank Vogel said postgame. “Scoring the ball, making the right plays, extra passes. And our whole group defended at a high level.”

“We’re always on [Horton-Tucker] to make great decisions once he gets into the paint,” Vogel revealed.

Kuzma shouted out the 20-year old's play-making, too.

“Trez was Trez. But, THT had a helluva game tonight. Doing everything: getting downhill, getting into the paint. … Once he gets into the paint — he’s probably one of the two or three best players at penetrating the paint — he’s so gifted at looking weak side, strong side, and hitting guys.”

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Afterward, LeBron James — who recorded his 98th career triple-double (22 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds) in 30 minutes — discussed how the play of their role players during this short-handed stretch will pay dividends when their number is called in playoff moments.

“You can call for anyone on our ball-club, whoever's in uniform … you know you can rely on them,” he said in the postgame interview.

LeBron James knows what to expect from the vets, but polished performances like tonight's from their youngest player, THT — who essentially joined the team in the bubble — is quickly earning James' trust.

“We got veterans in Trez. I know he’ll be ready. I know Dennis [Schröder] will be ready. I know Marc will be ready…I know that [Talen] will be ready as well.”

After the best game of this career, Horton-Tucker credited the recent time off for resting the Lakers' minds as much as their bodies.

“Felt like it gave us a mental break, just being away from the game for a short period of time was enough for us to regroup and be ready to finish off” the rest of the season, Horton-Tucker acknowledged.

On this Monday in San Francisco, the Lakers' freshness allowed them to compensate for the longer-than-usual injury report. On Tuesday, though, on the second leg of a back-to-back — the first of eight second-half B2Bs — they may not have that luxury.

Fortunately, they'll be hosting the 9-30 Minnesota Timberwolves.

In the postseason, the Lakers — who beautifully navigated the bubble schedule — will be afforded multiple nights of rest in between games. If all goes well, their rotation will be back to full strength by then, too. Regardless of who's out there and for what reason, James and Vogel will expect them to deliver.