The Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives on the Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox (5) during game 7 of the NBA Playoffs on Sun Apr 30, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The stage was set and there was no doubt this game would be crammed with some electric plays as the Golden State Warriors (4-3) came back from their game six loss to defeat the Sacramento Kings (3-4) at Golden One Center in a winner take all game seven 120-100.

The Warriors had a less than stellar game six and there was some changes the first of which was Draymond Green was back as a starter. Golden State had some great defense and also contained the Kings superstar De’Aaron Fox. This first round game seven matchup to remember with so much at stake for both teams. The Warriors also had to deal with the thunderous crowd that packed the arena Sunday afternoon.

Game 7 recap: The Warriors got on the board first as this game got underway. The Kings got a quick start but the Warriors wasted no time catching up. They hit some wide open threes and led mid-way through the first 12 minutes 18-12. The Warriors led for most of the opening quarter but it was the Kings that led when the first quarter came to an end 31-30. It was a high scoring electric start for both teams.

Gary Payton Jr. headed to the locker room early in the second quarter after committing three personals. Unlike the first quarter, it was the Kings that led for most of the second quarter and at the half Sacramento had a slim 58-56 lead. Gary Payton was the only player with three personal fouls on either team. This game had all the makings of a wild and tight finish.

Klay Thompson had an awful start and at the half was 1 of 10 jeopardizing this game for Golden State. He was a no show so far and needed to step it up in the second half. If De’Aaron Fox got going in the third and fourth quarters Golden State could be in for some trouble.

Thompson came to the party in the third quarter finishing with 16 points. The Warriors led by as much as 12 points in the quarter and after three led 91-81. They were awful at the line going four of 13 but managed to keep the Kings off balance. Golden State had to hold on for another 12 minutes if they wanted to advance to the Western Semifinals.

Golden State came on strong in the fourth quarter. The Kings picked the worst possible time to have a horrific second half, especially the fourth quarter. They couldn’t buy a basket and had untimely turnovers. The Warriors gut punched the Kings in the third 35-23 and they were just getting started.

Golden State dominated the fourth quarter and Stephen Curry made some crazy unbelievable circus shots in this game. He became the all-time leader outscoring Kevin Durant in a game seven in the playoffs. He finished with 50 points in this game.

Kevon Looney had so much to do with this win. He finished with 21 rebounds, the second time he came away with 21 plus in these playoffs. The bottom line in this game was the win was all about Curry. Without his performance in this game the outcome may have been different, Not a single player on the roster even scored 20 and Thompson came up empty in the fourth quarter. It was all Curry willing his team to the win.

The Kings have a lot to be proud of this season. They came out of the dark into an incredible 2022-23 season. It was a major disappointment for the Kings and it will take some time to realize how amazing they really were this year. They deserve a lot of credit and no doubt will continue on the wonderful path they are currently on.

This team has an abundance of character and the Kings will no doubt go up from here after so many accolades celebrated this season. Mike Brown Coach of the Year, Fox Clutch Player of the year, Keegan Murray most three’s by a rookie in a season besides being the number one offense indicates that there is nowhere but up for Sacramento to go.

Now we will all get to see two all-time greats clash in the Western Semi-finals. Curry versus LeBron James; it doesn’t get any better than that. This will be a clash to two Titans that may well go down in history. That series will get underway on Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM.