Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray, middle, holds onto the ball between Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, and guard Klay Thompson during the first half of Game 4 at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun Apr 23, 2023 (AP News photo)

Heartbreak For Sacramento Edged Out By Warriors 126-125

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the Sacramento Kings (48-35) were looking to take a 3-1 lead back to Golden One Arena. There was a monumental challenge that they would have to conquer to take that lead back home in the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors (45-38).

The Warriors have peaked at the near perfect time which is great for them but creates a myriad of problems for opposing teams. The Kings had a second crack at Golden State after losing game three at Chase Thursday night 114-97. Sacramento was just plain awful in that game although much of it had to do with the adjustments that the Warriors had made after losing the first two games of this series. The Warriors was in a foot race till the end with the Kings edging them out 126-125 to even the series at 2-2.

The good news for the Kings was the start in this game. It was a very good start and there was more good news with Keegan Murray looking like he had shaken off the nerves (or whatever he was dealing with) scoring a couple of baskets in the early minutes. Mid-way through the first quarter the Kings had a slim lead 18-17. Even though the Warriors took a seven points lead in the first 12 minutes, the Kings went on an 11-3 run leading after the opening quarter 32-31.

The three’s that had been MIA for Sacramento in the first three games made an appearance in this fourth game going seven of 13. After the first three minutes of the second quarter threes were dropping and Keegan Murray was having a much improved game which was great news for Sacramento. The Kings did have a nine point lead that dissolved mid-way through the quarter and with 6:37 left in the half this game was tied 45-45.

The Kings 8-0 run was erased with a Warrior 9-0 run. With under five minutes left in the half the Kings regained the lead 54-49 when Murray hit a three. Murray had finally arrived. Sacramento again took a nine point lead with under three minutes left in the half.

It was a crazy first 24 minutes of play. At the half the Kings led 69-65. It was a far cry from the game they lost Thursday night. Murray was three of four from downtown and De’Aaron Fox finished the first half with 21 points. Sacramento had shot over 50% from the floor and 45% from beyond the arc in the first half. Another bonus for the Kings; only three turnovers in the half.

After three quarters the Warriors had built a ten point lead 102-92 and the Kings had a lot of work to do.

The fourth quarter was a spectacular finish that did not go in favor of the Kings. With 10.1 left in the game, Sacramento trailed by a single point and with possession had the chance to win this game and go home 3-1. Harrison Barnes took the last shot, a three point attempt and came up short. It was a heartbreaker for Sacramento as they head back home to Golden One.

The resurrection of Murray finally came to light as we knew it would. He had 23 points and was five of seven from downtown. He will invaluable to the Kings going forward. Fox had the high for both teams with 38 points. Malik Monk had the high off the bench with 16 points. The Kings also finished with 14 shots from downtown.

Now the work for the Sacramento Kings begins as they head home to Golden One to play game five at Golden 1 Center. Now this becomes a must win for Sacramento after having led 2-0 in this series. Game five will be played Wednesday night with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.