Golden State Warrior forward Dario Saric (20) goes for the layup against the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Wed Oct 18, 2023 (@warriors photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors hosted the Sacramento Kings at the Chase Center Wednesday night. For the Warriors, it was their third pre-season game and the third for the Kings. The Warriors won both previous games, while Sacramento had been winless.

It doesn’t matter who wins or loses the games in the pre-season. The coaches are trying to prepare the players for the regular season, which starts on October 24th when the Warriors welcome the Phoenix Suns to the Chase Center.

The Suns have perennial All-Star Kevin Durant added to their lineup. Star guard Bradley Beal came to Phoneix in a trade with the Washington Wizards. Devin Booker will have a lot of support as the Suns will be gunning to get their goal of an NBA Championship.

Wednesday night’s game appeared to be a rather non-descript event. Sure, both coaches, Sacramento’s Mike Brown and the Warriors Steve Kerr, wanted to win, but losing the game was no big deal as long as the players performed well.

As it turned out, it was a terrific game, as the Warriors came back from an 18-point deficit to win 116-115. The star of the game for Golden State was none other than guard Stephen Curry. Who would have thought that?

Everyone at the Chase Center erupted when Curry nailed a three-pointer with five seconds left to play. The Warriors had to play defense, and they stopped Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox’s attempt for a two-point bucket that would have given the win to the Kings. 

The Kings’ coach, Mike Brown, wanted his guys to get the win. He played his starters Keegan Murray, Damontis Sabonis, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, and Fox for at least 30 minutes each. The Kings led for most of the game. Sacramento won the first half 56-49.

The Warriors led by one 16-15 in the first quarter. It was their only lead in the first half. Keegan Murray paced the Kings’ attack with 19 points. Davion Mitchell was second with 14 points. The Warriors turned the ball over 12 times and were making sloppy passes.

They seemed to be out of sync. But this is why they play the pre-season games. Kerr wants his players to work out the kinks before the season starts next week. The W’s did not have Kevon Looney in the lineup Wednesday Night.

Kerr started the six-foot-eight center Trayce Jackson-Davis at the center position. The rookie from Indiana played well. Backup center Dario Saric contributed 12 points and pulled five rebounds in the first half. Forward Jonathan Kumunga also played well. Andrew Wiggins had ten points, Curry six, and Klay Thompson two. Kerr was not worried as his big three did not put a lot of points on the board at this point in the game.

Sacramento increased the lead to 13 at the end of the third quarter. The Warriors were nearly tying the game until the Kings went on an 18-3 run. It looked like the game belonged to Coach Brown and his players.

Things changed in the fourth quarter. The Warriors had a 14-3 run to close within six, 97-91. The Kings did not fold. Yet, the Warriors kept creeping closer. Curry knocked down a three to make a four-point game, 110-106.

The Kings made a deuce to get the lead back to six. Two Warrior buckets, one by Curry, made it 112-110. The Kings answered to go 114-110 with 41 seconds left to play. The greatest shooter in the NBA’s history responded with two three-point shots to give the Warriors a one-point lead, 116-115 with five seconds left. The Warriors defense held on to secure the win.

Game Notes:  Curry led the Warriors with 30 points. Coach Kerr had to be pleased with Kuninga’s performance. Kuninga tallied 18 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Jackson-Davis had a double-double with 13 points and ten boards. Dario Saric had 14 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Chris Paul finished with 13 points, six rebounds, and nine assists. 

The Warriors play the final pre-season game Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs. Everyone will have their eyes on the Spurs’ prize rookie, Victor Wembanyama, who is expected to be sensational. 

The game will be played at the Chase Center. The game will start at 7 p.m.