After two infuriating defeats against Golden State and Steve Kerr, Mike Brown finally holds his first victory against his former team. The Kings did everything to “blitz” Stephen Curry and force the other Warriors to beat them. The strategy paid off for Sacramento.
Stephen Curry was however off to a flying start, with 13 points in the first quarter, well supported by the duo Andrew Wiggins – Jordan Poole, to give the Warriors a 15-point lead (39-24). The entry of Malik Monk then changes the deal. The Kings cause 8 ball losses and a winning shot from the back punctuates a 21-7 which gives them control of operations. They return to the locker room at +2 (66-64).
The Splash Brothers, including two shots in quick succession from Klay Thompson, put the Warriors in front in the first minutes of the second half (78-72). Golden State’s defense, however, takes water in the racket against Domantas Sabonis and wide under the banderillas of Kevin Huerter who give the Kings a seven-point lead (98-91). The Warriors then recover at the best time and two award-winning shots from Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson reverse the trend (113-110).
With four minutes to play, De’Aaron Fox revolts. He scored seven points in a row to put the Kings in front (119-113). In pain of address, the Warriors however insist from afar and let yet another rebound from Sabonis kill their last hope. If the Kings can smile, on the Warriors side it’s always grimace soup.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Anything but Curry. While the two-time MVP roamed the Kings’ defense last week with 47 points, his 13 points in the first quarter had Sacramento fans fearing the worst. Mike Brown then pulled out all the stops by systematically trying to force Curry to let go of the ball by sending him numerous double-takes. As a result, the Warriors star could only take 17 shots and his teammates were unable to replace him late in the game, as evidenced by their 2/11 from 3-pointers in the last quarter.
– The Domantas Sabonis shipyard. For the sixteenth time in his career, Sabonis crossed the bar of 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists in a game. The Lithuanian was monstrous with 22 rebounds, 26 points, and 8 assists to put his mark on the game. Whether it was Draymond Green or Kevon Looney, they couldn’t do anything to keep the Kings’ interior off the key.
– De’Aaron Fox responds again late in the game. They had already been decisive the day before against the Lakers by scoring the baskets that made the difference. We remember that he brought his team back from nowhere against Orlando, before scoring the buzzer beater for the victory. This night, Fox, discreet for three quarters, again took matters into their own hands at the end of the match. He scored 11 of his 22 points in the final quarter, including a personal 7-0 that put the Kings ahead for good.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Domantas Sabonis. Unstoppable, Sabonis blackened the statistics sheet with 26 points, 22 rebounds, and 8 assists, one of the most impressive performances of this young season.
✅ DeAaron Fox. 22 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, but above all the leadership that made the difference in money time to give the Kings victory.
✅ Stephen Curry. Despite the Kings’ good defense, Curry still scored 27 points on 52% shooting, to go with 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
✅ Andrew Wiggins. The Warriors winger confirms his good passage of the moment with 26 points to assist Stephen Curry.
⛔ Jordan Poole – Klay Thompson. The two backs finished the game 12 from 30 on shots and 6 loose balls, with some suspicious shot selection.
THE FOLLOWING
Golden State (5-8) : the Warriors continue against San Antonio this night at the Chase Center.
Sacramento (6-6): The Kings receive the Nets on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday.
