Warriors Lose to Phoenix Suns in Final Minute 119-116; Golden State loses six of last ten games

Golden State Warriors guard Draymond Green (23) hits the Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (28) in the face leading to Green’s ejection for a flagrant 2 foul. Green spun around and hit Nurkic in the face knocking Nurkic to the floor. (Larry Brown Sports till photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Phoenix Suns (13-10) beat the Golden State Warriors (10-13) for the third time this season 119-116. The starters for the Warriors gave Stephen Curry no help at all. Draymond Green was once again ejected and the team had to carry on without him. As in their last game, they had a chance to tie up this game and failed. The Warrior bench and Curry were the only positives coming out of this game. 

Game recap: While the Warriors did not have a great start in the first quarter of the game, they did have a good finish. After the first 12 minutes of play this game was tied at 25. Bradley Beal was back in the lineup for the Suns and hit a three in his first possession. He only played six minutes in the quarter. The Warriors protected the ball well in the first quarter with only four turnovers so some nice improvement protecting the ball.

The Warriors started rolling in the second quarter hitting shot after shot building a 40-27 lead at 7:53. They let the game turn around for the Suns with under four minutes left in the quarter. Phoenix had battled back going on a 16 to 5 run and trailed by two points 45-43.

 The Warriors had let the Suns back into the game and given up a sizable lead. With under two minutes left in the half the game was tied at 50. This game could not have been closer with Golden State holding a 56-53 lead after two quarters.

Curry had scored 16 points for Golden State and Devon Booker was the high for the Suns with 13 points. This game had started out fairly sloppy for both teams but picked up in the second quarter. Both teams had six turnovers in the first half of play.

With 8:23 left on the clock in the third quarter Green was charged with a flagrant 2 and ejected from the game. He used excessive force on Jusef Nurkic smacking him in the face and the saga continues as Green left the floor. So once again the Warriors would have to play without the defense that Green provides.

With 4:56 left in the third quarter this game was tied at 73. At 3:53 the Suns took the lead for the first time in the third quarter 77-75. As the clock ran out on the quarter the Suns had a 88-87 lead. They won the quarter 35-31 in a tight game. 

It was the Warrior bench that was keeping Golden State in this game. They had accounted for 54 points through three quarters. Curry was the only starter in double digits with 21. Once again he was carrying the team on his back and needed help from his starters. 

With seven minutes left in regulation it was a one-point game, the Suns clinging to a slim lead. With 3:03 left in the game, the Suns had extended their lead to 109-98. In the closing minute of the game the Suns coughed up the ball several times and Golden State pulled to within three points 115-112. 

The Warriors had gone on a 18-6 run and with 9.4 seconds left in the game they had possession and needed a three-pointer to tie up the game. Curry got a look but missed on a very tough shot. 

It was another tough loss for Golden State as Curry came away with 24 points but got absolutely no help from Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson. The loss of Green in the third quarter was just another blow for the Warriors. 

It was the bench that kept the Warriors in this game finishing with 78 points collectively. The Golden State bench was the story of this game. The Warriors got a handle on the turnovers committing 15.

The fourth quarter was the Devon Booker show as the Suns took this game away. Booker finished with 32 points and Bradley Beal had 16 points in his return. The Warriors did come roaring back but it was just too late. Golden State will now wait and see what the ramifications of the Green ejection will bring about.

Post game notes: Tuesday night the Warriors traveled to Phoenix to take on the Suns. After a very disappointing loss to the OKC Thunder last Friday night 138-136, the Warriors had been gearing up for Tuesday’s game. They cleaned up not only the fouls but the turnovers giving up only four against the Suns. After committing 29 in Friday’s game they did better. Kevin Durant was not on the floor for the Suns out with an ankle, his second straight game however he is expected to play on Wednesday night. Chris Paul was back on the bench for Golden State.

Thursday night the Warriors will take on the Los Angeles Clippers at crypto.com Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM.

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Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors battle the Suns Tuesday night at Footprint Center

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) defends the Oklahoma City Thunder’s guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) at Oklahoma City on Sun Dec 10, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder with 38 points it helped as the Thunder edged the Golden State Warriors 138-136 last Friday.

#2 The Thunder also got scoring help from Jalen Williams with 28 points and Chet Holmgren with 21 points the Thunder defeated the Warriors for the third straight time this season.

#3 This game was in overtime and Warriors guard Stephen Curry scored 10 of his 34 points. Klay Thompson had 22 points and Draymond Green had 12 points.

#4 The Thunder took advantage scoring 35 points off 29 turnovers committed by the Warriors.

#5 Next up for Golden State it’s onto Phoenix against the Suns at Footprint Center on Tuesday night a 7:00pm tip off. The Suns have won six of their last ten games and have lost their last two games.

Join Barbara for the Warriors podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Turnovers Beat Golden State; OKC Thunder Prevail 138-136

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) holds the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

By Barbara Mason

In a horrendous display of ineptitude the Golden State Warriors (10-12) came away with 29 turnovers in their matchup with the Oklahoma City (14-7) Thunder Friday night losing 138-136. The team has struggled with ball protection for awhile but Friday night they outdid themselves. Even the 34 points scored by Stephen Curry couldn’t get the job done, although, they did come close.

Friday night the Warriors took on the Thunder . The Warriors had won their last game beating the Portland Trailblazers 110-106 and were looking to establish a winning streak. The Thunder dropped their last game to the Houston Rockets Wednesday by the score of 110-101. Prior to beating the Trailblazers the Warriors lost a heartbreaker to the Los Angeles Clippers 113-112.

The first quarter was all Warriors and the team had a great start to this game leading 28-19 after the opening 12 minutes. The Thunder did win the second quarter 37-34 but Golden State maintained a 62-56 lead going into half time. In the first half, Klay Thompson had shot for 13 points followed by Andrew Wiggins with 12.

In the third quarter, the Thunder turned the game around winning the quarter 33-22 taking an 89-84 lead. OKC was spurred on by the number of turnovers coming from the Warriors. On 29 turnovers, the Thunder scored 35 points.

The Warriors won the final quarter 34-29, but this was only good enough to tie the game. This game would go into overtime with the Thunder prevailing 20-18 in OT and winning the game 138-136.

Despite the 29 turnovers, the Warriors came very close to pulling this game out. Warriors guard Stephen Curry scored 10 of his 34 points in the overtime. When the dust had settled, this game was lost due to poor ball protection.

This was the third loss in a row that the Warriors dropped in their past four matchups with the Thunder this season. Curry did everything he could to will his team to victory scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. Golden State just could not overcome the turnovers. They actually had four turnovers in overtime.

The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 38 points and Jalen Williams had 28 points in this game. OKC is a very young team yet they now reside in second place in the Western Conference standings.

The Warriors will try to turn things around when they travel to Phoenix taking on the Suns Tuesday night. They will need to clean up the turnovers and the fouls which were also problematic in Fridays game. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM and will be aired on TNT.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Curry to the rescue again leads with 31 pts

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) gets a rebound against the Portland Trail Blazers guard Malcolm Brogdon (11) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Wed Dec 6, 2023 (AP News photo)

On Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 Jerry, if it wasn’t for the Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry who led with 31 points. The Warriors (10-6) would have had a struggle against the Portland Trail Blazers (6-14) to try and get that win if it wasn’t for Curry’s offensive prowess last night.

#2 Jerry also how crucial Jonathan Kuminga and Dario Saric both scoring 13 points in a game where every basket counted in the Warriors just getting by the Trial Blazers 110-106.

#3 The Portland Trail Blazers Anfernee Simons was the top scorer with 28 points and was followed up with Shaedon Sharpe with 26 points.

#4 Jerry did the 10-34 long range shots help Golden State in this one. In Warrior wins this season the long shots have helped clinch some of those games.

#5 The Warriors face the Oklahoma City Thunder (13-7) Fri Dec 8th in OKC. The Thunder have won seven of their last ten games. The Warriors have won four of their last ten and have struggled in some of those close games. How do you see this match up on Friday night.

Join Jerry for the Warriors podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors outlast Trail Blazers 110-106; Golden State’s Curry does the heavy lifting with 31 points

Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) drives on the Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (left) in the first half at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Wed Dec 6, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Warriors, having lost two games by one point in the last three played, wanted to get back on the winning track against the rebuilding Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers traded away their star point guard, Damion Lillard, to the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Blazers traded Josef Nurkic to the Phoenix Suns for DeAndre Ayton. The Blazers got Malcolm Brogdon from the Boston Celtics in the trade for Jrue Holiday. The Blazers came to town with a record of 6-13. Portland had won three in a row, and most games played were very close.

The Warriors could not take this team lightly. The Blazers led the league, causing their opponents to commit turnovers. One of the problems the Warriors have this season is committing too many turnovers. The Warriors defeated the Blazers by four points 110-106 on Wednesday night at the Chase Center.

The Blazers’ head coach, Chauncy Billips, had his team playing an aggressive defense. The young Blazers were all over the Warriors’ top three shooters for most of the game. The Blazers led for the entire first half. The Blazers held Klay Thompson to two points in the first half. Andrew Wiggins tallied five.

The Warriors did not have a single player in double figures in the first half. Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Moses Moody paced the Warriors with nine apiece. The Warriors made just two threes in 16 tries. The Blazers knocked down nine.

The Blazers won the first quarter, 26-22, and the second quarter, 29-26, to finish the first half with a seven-point advantage, 55-48. Shaedon Sharpe led the Blazers with 14. Anfernee Simons had 11, and Duop Reath added 10. The Blazers caused the Warriors to turnover the ball ten times in the first half.

Things did not go well for the Warriors to start the third period. The Blazers had the Warriors totally out of rhythm. Whenever the Warriors tried to close the gap, Portland answered the challenge. The Blazers increased the lead to 11, 77-66.

At this point in the game, Warriors head coach, Steve Kerr, decided to insert Jonathan Kuminga. Kuminga was the spark the Warriors needed. The Warriors went on a 10-0 run to make it a one-point game, 77-76. Curry scored eight of the ten points.

Kunimga made a steal and a dunk for the other two. Portland regained their composure and finished the third quarter with a four-point lead, 86-82. 

Kuminga made the first basket of the fourth quarter. The Warriors scored the next basket to tie the game at 86. Portland knocked down a three, but Saric connected on a three to tie the game at 89. Portland regrouped and went ahead 98-92.

Thompson made his only three of the night to bring the Warriors within three, 98-95. The Warriors went ahead 103-100 on a basket by Thompson. Kuminga scored on a lob from Draymond Green to give the Warriors a four-point lead 105-101.

The Blazers made a three to make it 105-104. Curry knocked down a three with nine seconds left. The Blazers made it 108-106. With 2.2 seconds left, the Blazer had a foul to give.

The Warriors then had to inbound the ball from the far end of the court. They then fouled Thompson. Thompson made both free throws to seal the win for the Warriors.

Game Notes: With the win, the Warriors are now 10-11 for the year. The Blazers drop to 6-14.

The Warriors defense was much better in the second half. They won the third quarter 34-31 and the fourth quarter 28-20. 

Curry paced the Warriors attack with 31 points, 22 coming in the second half. Curry made five threes in 13 tries. Green almost had a triple-double. Green had ten points, ten rebounds, and nine rebounds. Thompson has 11 and made one three. Wiggins finished with nine. The Warrior bench outscored the Blazer bench 43-36.

Kuminga and Saric each had 13, and Moody had 12. 

The Warrior’s next opponent will be the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City. It will be the fourth meeting of the season for the teams. The Thunder are 2-1 against the Warriors. The game will start at 5 p.m.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Are Warriors vets starting to show they’re rust?

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) takes on the Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sat Dec 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Barbara, how important was the Los Angeles Clippers (9-10) Paul George in getting the winning basket with nine seconds left last Saturday in Los Angeles to edge the Golden State Warriors (9-11) 113-112.

#2 Are the Warriors who are now 9-11 starting to show they’re rust. The deeply depend on the big three of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson but this season they seemed to have struggled to finish some games in the successful manner than what they had in the past.

#3 The Warriors had a tough time trying to shut down George who lead the Clippers with 25 points and like you said took that tough winning shot on Saturday for the win.

#4 Curry in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter took a three point shot which he missed and was rebounded and the pass went to George for the winner. It was a game of inches but the Warriors have lost some of those type of games this season.

#5 The Portland Trailblazers (6-13) are next up for the Warriors at Golden State on Wed Dec 6 at 7:00pm PT. The Blazers are 13th in the Western Conference. The Blazers have won three of their last seven games. How do you see this match up on Wednesday at the Chase Center?

Join Barbara Mason for the Warriors podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

No Buzzer-Beater for Warriors Lose to Clippers 113-112 in the Southland

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives on the Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) in first half action at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sat Dec 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

In a crazy turnaround, the Los Angeles Clippers (9-10) beat the Golden State Warriors (9-11) 113-112. The Warriors led for almost the entire game and it came down to the final seconds. Draymond Green attempted a shot from downtown with 8.9 seconds left on the clock that fell short. There would be no buzzer-beater for Golden State. They had blown a 22 point lead.

Saturday, the Warriors took on the Clippers for an afternoon rematch at Crypto.com Arena. Last Thursday the two teams met at Chase Center with the Warriors prevailing 120-114. Warrior guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson led the Warriors in that win; Curry with 26 and Thompson with 22.

Game recap: The Warriors had a nice start in the opening quarter leading after the first 33-22. Draymond Green had an exceptional quarter hitting 4 of 5 from downtown. The Clippers have a loaded starting roster with three Titans Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden but despite that Golden State held them to 38% shooting while the Warriors had a great offensive start shooting 55% in the quarter.

Golden State kept the pressure on in the second quarter leading at the half by the score of 67-48 a 19 point lead. They won the quarter 34-26 and after two quarters had control of this game with a great offensive effort. They did have ten turnovers in the first half but despite that they were in complete control throughout the two opening quarters of play.

The Clippers had some work to do in this game and started to roll in the third quarter. The 22 point lead that the Warriors had in the game was cut to two points 87-85 with 41 seconds left on the clock in the third.

The Warriors pushed back and after three quarters had a 92-85 lead. The Clippers were now shooting at 46 percent to the Warriors 47% in a Los Angeles turnaround. The Clippers had won the third quarter 37-25.

This game came down to the fourth quarter. The Clippers had really turned this game around continuing to hang around but unable to take the lead; in fact they had not led once in this game so far.

Shots from downtown were clearly in favor of the Warriors with Golden State shooting at 45 % to the Clippers 33%; the Warriors hitting 16 from beyond the arc. With five minutes left in the game it was a five point game with the Warriors hanging on 105-99.

Los Angeles was coming up with some crazy defensive sequences but just could not get on top of Golden State. With 38.1 left in the game, the Warriors had a 112-108 lead. An untimely turnover at the end of the game plus a Clipper foul made things awfully tough for Los Angeles but they refused to back down.

With 8.9 seconds left on the clock, the Clippers took their first lead of the game 113-112. George made the shot of the game for Los Angeles hitting a 3-pointer with less than nine seconds remaining.

When it really mattered it came down to a potential game-winning 3-pointer from Green. The shot fell short and there would be no buzzer-beater for the Warriors. The Clippers won the fourth quarter 28-20 really coming to life and winning this game 113-112.

It was tale of two halves. The first half was all Warriors and in the second half the Clippers made a lot of winning plays to set up this win. Curry had the high for the Warriors with 22 points. Both Green and Moses Moody had 21 points apiece. The Warriors made 17 3-pointers in this game, with four each from Green, Curry and Thompson.

The Big Three for the Clippers had some terrific offense with 25 points scored by George. Harden finished with 21 points and Leonard had 20 points. After trailing for almost the entirety of this game, this win for the Clippers was most unexpected especially when the Warriors had a 112-108 lead with 38 seconds left on the clock. The Clippers had avenged the loss they had taken at Chase last Thursday.

This was a huge disappointment for the Warriors. They will have a few off days before they take on the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday night at Chase Center. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Warriors bounce back beat Los Angeles Clippers 120-114; Third win in last ten games for Golden State

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Cury (30) passes the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers forward Terrance Mann (right) and center Ivica Zubac (left) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Nov 30, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors, smarting from the 124-123 loss to the Sacramento Kings Tuesday night, bounced back to play a complete game on both ends to defeat the visiting Los Angeles Clippers, 120-114. The Clippers beat the Sacramento Kings Wednesday night in Sacramento. The Clippers scored 130 points and came into town intending to beat the Warriors. The Warriors were without three key players:

  • Chris Paul was out with soreness in his knee.
  • Andrew Wiggins injured a finger and was unavailable.
  • Gary Payton II suffered a torn calf muscle and is out indefinitely. 

Warriors head coach, Steve Kerr, inserted Moses Moody into the starting unit instead of Wiggins. Kerr’s second unit consisted of Dario Saric, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandon Podziemski, and Cory Joseph. The Warriors found the right combination, as they had seven players in double-figures, and Warriors stopped committing turnovers and too many fouls. The Warriors went on to win 124-114.

The Clippers are in the top five defensive units in the NBA. They also have players that can light up the board. Future Hall of Fame players Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook led the Clipper’s offense. The Clippers had Ivica Zubac and Daniel Theis in their lineup as rim protectors. The Warriors knew they were in for a dogfight.

The first quarter went to the Warriors, 31-24. The game was tied at 22-22 when the Warriors went on a 7-2 run to finish the quarter. The Warriors committed just two turnovers in the first 12 minutes. As they did in the game against the Kings, the Warriors played well and increased the lead to 11 at the end of the quarter.

The Warriors led 61-50. Warrior guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were not the leading scorers in the first half. Curry and Thompson each had seven points. The leading scorers were Draymond Green, Saric, and Podzienski, scoring ten points each. The Warriors made ten threes in 22 tries to give them the 11-point lead. Leonard led the Clippers with 12, Zabac had 11, and James “the Beard” Harden added 10.

The Clippers knew the Warriors were beaten by the Kinds in the second half of the game Tuesday night in Sacramento. They score the first four points to start the third quarter. Curry answered with a three. The Warriors went back up by 11, 71-60. The rest of the quarter was nip and tuck. The Clippers won the quarter by two points to finish trailing by nine, 86-77.

The second unit, plus Thompson, was on the floor to start the fourth quarter. Thompson led the Warriors with ten points to lead by 13, 99-86. The Clippers didn’t fold. They came back behind the efforts of Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Leonard.

The Clippers were down by five, 105-100. Buckets by Curry and Moses Moody gave the Warriors the lead 115-107 with less than a minute to play. The Clippers fouled Curry to get the ball, but their tactics failed as the Warriors won 120-114.

Game Notes: The date of Thursday night’s game was remarkable. The date of 11-30-23 are the numbers of Thompson, Curry, and Green. All three players are in the 12th season together and will be going into the NBA’s Hall of Fame. 

With the win, the Warriors improved to 9-10. The Clippers fall to 8-10.

Curry finished with 26 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and three threes in nine tries. Thompson’s numbers were 22 points, six rebounds, and two threes. Kuminga had a big night. Kuminga, coming off the bench, recorded 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three threes. Green, Saric, Moody, and Podziemski added 13 points each. The Warriors’ bench outscored the Clipper bench 44-31.

The Warriors committed seven turnovers, a major improvement from Tuesday night. They allowed the Clippers 24 free throws on Tuesday night, and the Kings went to the line 42 times.

The Warriors won the rebounding battle, 60-48, and made 30 assists on 41 baskets. As mentioned above, it was a complete game on both ends of the court.

The Warriors meet the Clippers in LA on Saturday afternoon. The game will start at 1 p.m

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Warriors host Clippers tonight at Chase Center; Golden State has lost six of last seven games

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) tries to play keep away from the Sacramento Kings forward Kessler Edwards (17) in first quarter action at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Tue Nov 28, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warrior podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Tuesday night’s game was another thriller, but the Sacramento Kings turned the tables on the Warriors as they returned from a 17-point halftime deficit to nip them 124-123.

#2 At one point in the first half, Golden State led by 24. Sacramento rallied late in the second period to finish the first half trailing 72-55. The Warriors held Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox to nine points.

#3 The Kings have a high-powered offense led by Fox and Sabonis. The Warriors contained Sabonis for the entire game but did not have an answer for Fox, Kevin Huerter, or Malik Monk.

#4 The Warriors had the ball. However, Draymond Green made another turnover. The Kings took the ball down and scored to go ahead 124-123. The Kings’ defense held to give them the victory.

#5 The Warriors return home to the Chase Center to host the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night. The game will start at 7 p.m.

Jerry Feitelberg does the Golden State Warriors podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings game wrap: Kings get the edge on Golden State 124-123

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is defended by the Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell (15) in the first quarter at Golden 1 in Sacramento on Tue Nov 28, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Tuesday night. The Kings returned home after a long road trip around the US. The Kings played well on the trip, going 4-2. However, an unfriendly opponent welcomed the Kings back home after four days off.

The Golden State Warriors were in town to face the Kings on Tuesday with a 7 PM PST tip-off. The Kings last played on the 24th against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Kings would win the game and clinch West Group C in the in-season tournament 124-123.

In the first quarter, the Kings played poorly. The Kings defense was atrocious in the first quarter, as they allowed the Warriors to score 37 points in the first quarter. The Kings defense was nonexistent, and the offense couldn’t pick up the slack as the Kings scored 29 points in the quarter.

The Kings were struggling again against the team that had appeared unbeatable by the Kings this season. The Kings would look for a spark in the second quarter to get back on track.

The Kings could have started the second quarter better. The Warriors expanded the lead early in the second quarter to 15 points with 6:12 to go in the half. The Kings were leaving much to be desired on the court in a big matchup on TNT.

The Kings needed help to get any rhythm going on the offensive end of the floor. The Warriors outscored the Kings in the second quarter 35-26. The Kings were down 72-55 heading into halftime. It was an embarrassing performance from the Kings in the first half. The Kings would look for any answer in the third quarter to make this a game.

In the third quarter, the Kings didn’t play much better to start the quarter. The Kings looked lifeless on the offensive end of the floor. However, the Kings did battle and got a few points black. The Kings outscored the Warriors 40-32 in the third quarter to come back a bit in the game.

The Kings would go into the game’s final quarter trailing 104-95. In the fourth quarter, the Kings would need to play some defense for the first time in the game to have a chance to win.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings made it a game. The Kings stormed back with an intensity not seen all game to make things interesting down the stretch. The Kings would win the game 124-123. The Kings offense was able to score 29 points in the fourth quarter. However, the difference was the Kings defense. The Kings defense held the Warriors to 19 points in the final 12 minutes.

The defense was the difference in the game for the Kings as they got their first win of the season against the Warriors. Malik Monk proved invaluable down the stretch as he hit the game’s last shot with seven seconds left to seal the deal.

The Warriors took the ball down the court with no timeouts, and Steph Curry missed a deep contested three-pointer to lose the game. The Kings were led in the victory by De’Aaron Fox, who had 29 points. Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins led the Warriors with 29 points each.

The Kings also clinched West Group C in the NBA in-season tournament with the victory. They will host the Pelicans in the knockout round on Monday at 7 PM PST.

Up Next: The Kings will stay home to take on the LA Clippers on Wednesday at 7 PM PST. The Kings will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back.