Photo credit: GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors)

By Jerry Feitelberg

Oakland- The Warriors evened their preseason record ar 2-2 as they beat the Sacramento Kings Friday night by a score of 117-106. The Warriors were without the service of Kevin Durant who stayed at home as he was not feeling well. Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala did not play as they were a bit banged up, and coach Steve Kerr did not want to see his stars aggravate their problems. Several of the players were still feeling the effects of jet lag. Kerr started Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Zaza Pachulia, Nick Young, and Jordan Bell. The Kings, who are rebuilding the team after sending DeMarcus Cousins to New Orleans last season, started a lineup of players that are not yet well known. Coach Dave Joerger sent out Willie Cauley-Stein, Frank Mason, Skal Labissiere, Buddy Hield, and Justin Jackson to begin the game for Sacramento.

Steph Curry played the entire first quarter and about half of the second quarter. In his time in the game, he scored 18 points and made four 3-point shots. The other Splash Brother, Klay Thompson, knocked down 9 in his minutes in the first half. Neither Steph nor Klay played in the second half.

The Kings gave the Dubs all they could handle for the first three-quarters of the game. Neither team could grab a big lead. The Dubs led by 54-51 at the end of the first half. The Warriors and the Kings went back and forth in the third quarter, too. The Dubs offense was led by Nick Young. Young appeared to be more comfortable as he made five 3-point shots. Kerr said that Young”looked like himself” and that his performance was “very encouraging.”

Both teams used their young players in the fourth quarter. The Warriors behind the play of Patrick McCaw, Kevon Looney, Jordan Bell, and Nick Young pulled away to win 117-109.

Game Notes- Jordan Bell finished the night with 10 points, 4 assists, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots. Steve Kerr said this about Bell:”Jordan was great.” With all the talent that the Warriors have in the frontcourt, there is some concern that Bell may languish on the bench once the season starts. Kerr brushed aside the criticism by saying”Jordan will get his chance.”

Kerr was pleased with”how well our young players played. He said it was “encouraging to see the team execute so well. It was all good stuff.”

The Kings young players stayed with the Warriors for most of the game. Guard David Stockton, son of Hall of Fame player John Stockton, tallied 23 points and had 8 assists. Malachi Richardson scored 15, Giorgis Papagiannis 13, JaKarr Sampson, 13, Frank Mason 10, Willie Cauley-Stein 10.

The Warriors made 15 3-point shots and recorded 34 assists. The defense was strong as they had 47 rebounds, 4 steals, and 4 blocks. They committed just twelve turnovers, and that stat had to please Steve Kerr and the coaching staff.

The Warriors’ David West received an award from the NBA as he was recognized as the “Best Teammate.” Oracle Arena and the Warriors were recognized for having the “Best Home Court Advantage.”

The Warriors open the defense of their championship on Tuesday night against the Houston Rockets. It will be Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, KD, and company against Mike D’Antoni uptempo offense led by James Harden and former Los Angeles guard, Chris Paul. Game time at Oracle Arena will be at 7:30 pm. The Championship banner will be unfurled, and the Warriors will be receiving their championship rings.