Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Draymond Green (23) strip the ball away from Sacramento Kings guard Terence Davis, center, in the first quarter at Chase Center in Sacramento on Fri Apr 7, 2023 (AP News photo)

Warriors Beat Kings In Must Win Game 119-97

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Golden State Warriors (43-38) traveled to Sacrament to take on the Kings (48-33) at Golden One Center. The Kings have absolutely nothing to play having already secured third place in the Western Conference. In contrast the Warriors were desperate to win this one.

The one thing that they want to avoid is the dreaded play-in game. This had been a real shoot-out in the wild wild Western Conference and the Warriors win this must win game 119-97.

The Warriors had everyone on board in the first quarter with the exception of Andrew Wiggins who we will not see in these final two games.

Golden State took early control of this game in the opening quarter leading after 12 minutes 32-16. The Warriors needed this game and they were sure playing like it. They had a great start and needed the same effort through three more quarters.

The Kings started to turn this game around in the second quarter outscoring the Warriors 32-21 but Golden State had the lead at the half 53-48. This game was becoming uncomfortably close heading into the third quarter.

The Warriors got back on track in the third quarter outscoring the Kings 33-25 taking a 86-73 lead with one more quarter to clock a win.

Golden State sent the memo loud and clear in the fourth quarter taking a 112-89 lead with under five minutes left in the game. They came to win and that’s just what they did tonight.

The Splash Brothers sure made a statement in this game scoring 54 points between them. Thompson had the high score with 29 points and Curry with 25. Kevon Looney continues his impressive defense with 16 rebounds.

Granted the Kings were shorthanded, but the Warriors did play a terrific game and need to take that up to Portland and into the playoffs.

On Easter Sunday the Warriors will finish up the 2022- 23 season up in Portland taking on the Trail Blazers. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:30 PM.