In a Golden 1 Center ready to explode, the Kings start the game with a 7-2 but the Warriors, much more rigorous and aggressive, respond with a 16-5 to calm the ardor of the Sacramento fans (18-12). The entries of Terence Davis and Trey Lyles, who are 3 of 4 from afar, revive the Kings and despite 10 points from Stephen Curry, it is Sacramento who takes the lead after twelve minutes (31-30).
Mike Brown’s offense begins to find its rhythm by dissecting Golden State’s defense with multiple back doors, allowing them to find open shots. Davis, Monk, and Sabonis then punish the Warriors to put Sacramento at +5 (47-42). Stephen Curry then takes responsibility for stopping the opposing mini run. 3-points, floaters… the double MVP wanders around and finds Andrew Wiggins the perfect lieutenant (51-51). The Kings push to finish strong at halftime but another 3-pointer from Curry keeps the Warriors in ambush (58-56).
Stephen Curry on cloud nine!
The burst of Klay Thompson, author of 5 points in the first six minutes of the third quarter, the magic of Stephen Curry, author of 8 points, and seven offensive rebounds from Kevon Looney allow the Warriors to pass a 19-8 to the Kings for take control of the match (75-64).
A 3-pointer from Poole pushes the Dubs lead to +12 but De’Aaron Fox, hitherto clumsy, raises the Kings. He scores 6 points and 9 missed free throws for Golden State in the period allowing Sacramento to limit the breakage. But a 3+1 from Klay Thompson one second from the buzzer puts the Warriors at +10 (91-81)!
Unlike Game 5 where they had revived the Kings at the start of the last quarter, this time the Dubs drive the point home. Stephen Curry, similar to what he did in Boston in June 2022 in Game 4 of the Finals, comes to end Sacramento’s season by scoring 14 of Golden State’s first 17 points in the period to pull the gap at +22 (107-85)!
The Warriors will therefore challenge the Lakers in the next round as the Kings see their season come to an end. Mike Brown’s men, however, have made an appointment with the rest of the Western Conference for next season.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Steve Kerr’s answers after Game 6. For this decisive match, Steve Kerr unsurprisingly started with his classic five major with the return of Draymond Green in place of Jordan Poole. It allowed the Warriors to set the tone defensively. Kerr continued to opt for a more defensive rotation with Gary Payton II seeing his first minutes of the series in the first quarter and a bit more playing time for Moses Moody.
— The Sacramento bench is off to a strong start. Already decisive in Game 6 in San Francisco, the Malik Monk – Terence Davis – Trey Lyles trio continued in the same vein in the first half of this Game 7. At the break, they had 25 points at 6 out of 14 at three points. It compensated for the clumsiness of De’Aaron Fox (3/10) and made the difference against the non-existent bench of the Warriors (8 points).
— The Warriors release their traditional 3rd quarter. In ambush for the entire first half, the Warriors made their effort in the third quarter, as in the best days of their dynasty to take control of the game. If Stephen Curry’s 14 points had a lot to do with it, if Klay Thompson’s awakening to open and end the quarter was decisive, if their defense, which limited the Kings to 33% shooting success, was irreproachable , it was Kevon Looney’s 10 rebounds, including 7 offensive rebounds, that put Sacramento back against the wall. Despite 9 missed free throws, the Warriors’ 9 extra shots in the third quarter allowed them to win 35-23 to go to victory.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Stephen Curry. What about Stephen Curry?!? The double MVP responded as usual to carry his team in the first half before making the difference after the break. He finished with 50 points at 20/38 on shots, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, including 30 points in the second half to air-condition the Golden 1 Center.
✅ Kevon Looney. The Warriors center became the first player since Dwight Howard in 2008 to grab more than 20 rebounds in three games in the same series. He finished with 21 rebounds, including 10 offensively, scored 11 points, and was just as huge on defense.
✅ Draymond Green & Andrew Wiggins. Green has been intractable defensively for his return to the major five. He finished with 8 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. Andrew Wiggins finished second in scoring for his team with 17 points, not inconsiderable considering the 7 of 28 of the duo Klay Thompson – Jordan Poole.
✅ Domantas Sabonis. The Lithuanian was the best King of the evening with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, although he often refused racquet headers.
⛔ De’Aaron Fox. The Clutch Player of the Season missed his Game 7, finishing with 16 points at 5/19 on shots and 5 loose balls.
THE FOLLOWING
The Warriors will receive the Lakers for Game 1 of the conference semi-finals on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday (04:00).
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
