Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: How Warriors missed Thompson’s presence in Sacramento on Sunday

The Golden State Warriors Klay Thompson celebrates a great offensive night on Sat Apr 2, 2022 at Chase Center in San Francisco sat out Sun Apr 3, 2022 in Sacramento due to a management injury (AP News photo)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, the Golden State Warriors didn’t have the use of Klay Thompson due to a management injury. Watching the contest in Sacramento on Sunday night could you see a difference with Thompson out of the line up.

#2 There is no doubt with a Thompson and Curry out of the line up the Warriors have to lean on scorers Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins to provide for offense.

#3 In the Warriors game on Saturday you couldn’t tell that Thompson had any injury issues he was lights out scoring 36 points.

#4 As you could see from their game against the Utah Jazz a huge difference when Thompson is in the line up they got a four point win against a good club.

#5 The Kings are a team that has been on the move lately before Sunday’s game they had won four out their last five. They narrowly lost the the Phoenix Suns on Sun Mar 20th they’re a team that the Warriors had own in the past.

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

Sacramento Kings game wrap: Kings brief two game win streak comes to an end in 109-90 loss to Golden State

Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell (15) takes a shot against the Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in the second quarter at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sun Apr 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (29-50) were back in action on Sunday evening. The Kings had last played on Friday as they took in the Houston Rockets for the second time in as many games.

The Kings wrapped up the five-game road trip with a win on Houston on Friday 122-117. On Sunday, the Kings welcomed the Golden State Warriors (50-29) to Golden One Center with tip-off set for 6 PM PST. The Warriors beat the Kings at home 109-90 on Sunday night…

In the first quarter, it was a plodding start for the Kings. The Kings only scored 14 points on the Warriors in the first quarter. However, that wasn’t the only bad news for the Kings.

The Warriors offense got off to a quick start when they put up 28 points on the Kings in the first quarter. The Kings would need to act fast in the second quarter if they wanted to keep the game close.

In the second quarter, It didn’t get much better for the Kings. The Warriors offense was still firing on all cylinders, and the Kings defense couldn’t contain them. The Kings offense did pick up the pace scoring 28 points in the second quarter.

Unfortunately, the Warriors dropped 34 points on the Kings in the second quarter. The Kings would dig themselves into a 62-42 deficit going into halftime to a Warriors team without Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson. In the first half, Andrew Wiggins led the Warriors in scoring with 15, while Damian Jones scored eight points for the Kings.

In the third quarter, the Kings played their best quarter so far. The Kings outscored the Warriors in the third quarter, 29-19, as they got a little momentum heading into the final quarter.

Throughout the game, the difference had been the Kings three-point shooting compared to the Warriors. The Warriors made almost half of their three-pointers while the Kings were lucky to make 1-10. As a result, the Kings went into the fourth quarter trailing 67-81.

In the fourth, the Kings would show heart but ultimately lose the game 109-90. The Kings did get within seven points of the Warriors down the stretch in the fourth quarter. However, after a bad pass from Damian Jones, the Kings lost their momentum, and the Warriors took the game over to seal the deal.

The difference in the game was three-point shooting as the Warriors made 16-34 attempts. On the other hand, the Kings only made 7-33. The Warriors were led in victory by Andrew Wiggins, who scored 25 points, as Harrison Barnes had 18 points to lead the Kings.

Up Next: The Kings take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday at 7 PM PST to wrap up the home schedule for the Kings this season.

Golden State Warriors game wrap: Warriors win critical games over the weekend defeat Kings 109-90 in Sacramento

Golden State Warriors guard Damion Lee (1) reacts after taking a finger to the eye while being defended by Sacramento Kings guard Josh Jackson (55) second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun Apr 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Win Critical Games Over the Weekend defeat Kings 109-90

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the Golden State Warriors clinched a playoff berth after winning a thriller against the Utah Jazz 117-113. The Warriors did not even take the lead in this game until late in the fourth quarter and turned the table on Utah to win the game.

Sunday night the Warriors (50-29) took on the Sacramento Kings (29-50) they played for the win and for the best possible spot in the playoffs. It’s all about Western Conference seeding right now. The Jazz and the Mavericks are threatening to pass the Warriors who currently reside in third place in the conference.

The Mavericks trail Golden State by a half game and so Sunday’s game had a lot of importance especially with the Mavs winning an earlier game against the Bucks. The Warriors had a good arms distance lead for most of the game over the Kings in the 109-90 win at the Golden One Center in Sacramento.

The Warriors played Sunday without Klay Thompson who they rested after the 36 point performance against Utah Saturday night. The tenacious Gary Payton II started in the game. Throughout the first quarter Green and Poole played limited minutes after their play Sunday.

This gave the young guys a chance to play with Jonathan Kuminga, Juan Toscano, Damion Lee and Nemanja Bjelica playing some of the first quarter. The Warriors led after one 28-14.

The Warriors would extend their lead to 62-42 at the half. The bench was doing a great job in the second quarter. Both Bjelica and Kuminga finished the second quarter with 12 points apiece. Bjelica also had nine rebounds so the depth of the Golden State roster was on parade with Lee turning in five points and three rebounds as well.

The brilliant play of the bench allowed Draymond Green and Jordan to get some rest after the tough matchup against the Jazz. Golden State had displayed some great defense as well as offense. Not a single King player had double digits after two quarters of play.

At the end of the third quarter the Kings had made a bit of a push trailing 81-67. Former Warrior Harrison Barnes was the only King with double digits having 16. The Kings were playing hard but were no match for Golden State.

The Warriors had to watch out for Sacramento in the fourth quarter. The Kings continued to push and pulled within seven points with six minutes left in the game. Turnovers and missed shots were giving the Kings some life. After the scare Golden State pulled it back together and extended their lead back to 14, 102-88. The Warriors win the game.

Wiggins would be the high score for the Warriors with 25 points and Poole had his 17 game in a row with 20 plus points. He finished with 22 points. The Warriors certainly answered the call over the weekend winning two critical games and showing up offensively and defensively Bjelica had 19 points and 12 rebounds in this game in one of his best games all season. The Warriors will get a nice rest not playing again until Thursday night.

As mentioned above the Warriors will be taking on the Los Angeles Lakers Thursday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Warriors Battle Past Jazz 111-107; Snap four game skid at Chase

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) gets up over Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic (44) for a two point attempt at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Apr 2, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Battle Past Jazz 111-107

By Barbara Mason

As the Golden State Warriors (49-29) head into the final games of the season there is a lot still up in the air for the Warriors. The team will be without Stephen Curry for the remainder of the regular season (four more games left).

It’s not what the team wanted to hear but Curry is still aiming for getting healthy going into the playoffs although he did admit that this was not the ideal way for any team to end a season.

Head Coach Steve Kerr recognizes that the most important thing right now is having Curry healthy for the start of the playoffs regardless of where Golden State finishes in the standings. Still a lot is still to be determined when it comes to matchups and it will no doubt change before season’s end. Curry will be re-evaluated at the end of the regular season.

Tonight the Warriors took on the fifth place Utah Jazz (46-32). This game is huge for both teams. The Jazz currently stand in fifth place in the Western Conference and Golden State is in third place with the Mavericks nipping at their heels in fourth place a half game behind the Warriors.

The Warriors will need a fast paced game. They will need to be patient and be aggressive and above all protect the ball. Turnovers killed the team last Wednesday against the Suns with 21. This has to turn around. The Golden State defense is coming around but the offense has a ways to go.

The Jazz took an early lead after the opening quarter 30-23. The Warriors offense continued to struggle going four of 13 from outside. Utah had the momentum through the first quarter and in the early minutes of the second quarter. Utah’s Donovan Mitchell had 11 points in the first quarter and Klay Thompson had seven points but started to heat up in the start of the second quarter.

Four Minutes into the second quarter the Jazz were totally dominating the game leading 47-28. The Jazz had a monster advantage and it would be an uphill climb for Golden State. The Warriors needed stops but also some far better offense.

Golden State started getting stops but also struggled with empty possessions and turnovers. With two minutes left in the half the Warriors had cut a 21 point Jazz lead to 13 and they did this in two minutes.

The game was turning around offensively in favor of the Warriors. The effort and energy of Golden State was improved in the late second quarter and they would need more of that in the second half. The Warriors also had 11 first half turnovers and they cannot continue on this path. Utah had a 58-45 half time lead.

At 3:50 left in the third quarter the Warriors got within single digits of the Jazz.79-70. After three quarters the Warriors had cut the Jazz lead to six.

As the fourth quarter wore on it became apparent that the Warriors just could not keep pace with Utah or could they? Everything turned around with 5:37 left in the game and it appeared that yes they could keep up with the Jazz.

Three straight stops and three shots from downtown made all the difference in this game. The Jazz lead had shrunk to four 103-99. The Warriors had a ball game. With 3:31 left in the game the Warriors had their first lead of the game 105-103. Golden State had a 18-0 run and 20 from downtown in this game.

It came down to a one point game and under two minutes left on the clock. The Warriors needed to close this game out. Chase Center was on their feet in this playoff like atmosphere. With 7.8 left in the game the Warriors led 109-106 and Draymond Green was at the free throw line. Golden State finished this game 111-107. The 30th win at Chase was one to remember.

“I am incredibly proud of him,” said Thompson of Poole who finished with 31 points. Thompson himself had 36 points in this crazy game. “I could feel that I was going to have a big night in the weight room. Not in the first half, not my best half but I kept shooting. What a way to snap out of this streak we had,” Thompson said in regards to their four game losing streak. “I am just incredibly proud of everyone who played tonight. It took a lot of grit and mental fortitude,” he said.

Sunday night the Warriors travel to Sacramento to take on the Kings in a game that they not only need to win but should win. Thompson eluded to the fact that they should beat the Kings. The Warriors expended a lot of energy in this Jazz game but they will be riding in on an incredible high after tonight’s win. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

Suns edge Warriors in a Shootout 107-103; Fourth loss in a row for Golden State

Golden State Warriors Klay Thompson driving to the basket gets the ball knocked out of his hands by the Phoenix Suns Devin Booker (1) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Mar 30, 2022 (AP News photo)

Suns Edge Warriors In a Shootout – 107-103

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night the Golden State Warriors (48-29) took on the best team in the NBA, the Phoenix Suns (62-14).

With Stephen Curry still on the sidelines the Suns were highly favored. The way this game started in the opening quarter all signs pointed toward another Sun road win. They jumped out to a quick 12-2 start. The starting roster for the Suns is a litany of stars. Chris Paul, Devon Booker, Jae Crowder, Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton. A formidable starting lineup. There was no stopping the number one team in the NBA as the Suns won in a close game 107-103 at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Thursday night.

After trailing for much of the first quarter the Warriors started to heat up and after the opening quarter the Suns held a slim 32-29 lead.

Both teams would trade the lead in the second quarter. The Suns continued to lead at the half 50-48. Despite having 14 turnovers in the first half the Warriors were hanging in this game holding the Suns to 36% shooting and only 19% shooting three’s. They had to maintain that defense in the second half.

Much of the Warriors success was due to the shooting of Jordan Poole who had 20 points in the first half. Andrew Wiggins had ten points and Golden State was waiting on Klay Thompson to come to the party. He finished the half with six points and no rebounds with one assist.

The third quarter was a wild wild west shootout with the Warriors taking a seven point lead that quickly dissolved. The Suns had a slim 77-75 lead after three. The Warriors had continued the great defense that they played with in the first half.

The fourth quarter saw a series of ties in the early minutes. The Warriors had 20 turnovers and too many empty possessions. Despite that Golden State refused to go away. With 7:30 left in the game the score was again tied at 86.

The Suns would take a 96-93 lead with 2:59 on the clock. With the great defense that Golden State had played with in this game, they needed their offense to really step up in the final minutes. Draymond Green had key play after key play in this game and was a big reason that the Warriors were still hanging around with every chance to take this game. At two minutes what else, a tie game.

The Suns had a two point lead at the half, a two point lead after three quarters and this game was up for grabs. The Warriors led 101-100 with 39.8 seconds left in this game. The Warriors needed a stop and a little offense and this game could be a wrap.

Golden State came up just short losing by four points. Empty possessions and 20 turnovers spelled disaster for the Warriors. The Warriors did so many great things in this game and it was a tough loss for them.

Poole finished the game with 38 points and this game was a great improvement over their last road trip. This was a great effort for the Warriors and they really looked like contenders in the upcoming playoffs.

The Warriors will have a few days to rest up before taking on the Utah Jazz Saturday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors host one of the NBA’s hottest teams the Suns tonight at Chase

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots over Philadelphia 76ers forward Danny Green at the Footprint Arena in Phoenix on Sun Mar 27, 2022. The Golden State Warriors host the Suns tonight at the Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 Dave, the Golden State Warriors (48-28) have lost six of their last seven games and have lost three in a row. Its seems that when Stephen Curry is present in the line up this team is on it’s A game without him they either are in close games or as you see in their last seven games struggle to win.

#2 Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was ejected during their last game against the Memphis Grizzlies (53-23) do you see this as just frustration or Kerr really knows this team is not the same winning team they were in the first half of this season.

#3 Things don’t get any easier as the host Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns (64-14) who’ve won eight in row and defeated one of the best teams in the NBA the Philadelphia 76ers (46-29) by ten 114-104 in Phoenix. Do you see the Warriors who host the Suns having their hands full tonight at Chase Center?

Join David Zizmor for the Warriors podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Grizzlies Pick Golden State Apart 123-95; Loss is Warriors third in a row

Grizzlie Adams: Memphis Grizzlies’ Steven Adams (4) loses the ball as the Golden State Warriors’ Gary Payton ll, left gets a grip on it at the Fed Ex Forum in Memphis Mon Mar 28, 2022 (AP News photo)

Grizzlies Pick Golden State Apart 123-95

By Barbara Mason

It has been less than a week for the Warriors on this current road trip but it has felt like much longer. It has been a more than frustrating trip and one of the most important components for the Warriors did not accompany the team and that is the three point shot. It has been MIA.

Monday night the Warriors (48-28) played their last game of the road trip against the Memphis Grizzlies (53-23). Klay Thompson and Draymond Green did not play in this game although Andre Iguodala was able to play after a bit of an absence.

It was great to have him back on the floor The Memphis Grizzlies will still be without Ja Morant who will be re-evaluated in several weeks.

The Warriors were able to stay close in the first quarter trailing 20-16. The shots from downtown were few and far between for Golden State as were every shot they took. Both teams looked awful. The Warriors looked like a team that had played 5 games in seven days; low energy and just absolutely dragging. It had really taken a toll.

The Grizzlies came to life in the second quarter and really went to work on the Warriors. Not only were the Warriors shots from downtown missing, their entire offense was missing. They were sleepwalking through the entire first half.

The Grizzlies were picking the Warriors apart leading 63-37 at the half. The only Warrior in double digits was Jordan Poole with ten points. When you ask if this game could get any worse, the answer is yes. As the quarter came to an end Head Coach Steve Kerry was ejected in the closing seconds of the half. This was the Warriors second largest deficit this season.

The Warriors had to try to finish this game on a good note. It would take all they could muster to get some energy going because it sure looked like the tank was completely empty.

The Warriors just had to play possession to possession in the third quarter and ignore the scoreboard. Memphis continued to toy with the Warriors and continuing to extend their lead although ever so slightly.

In all fairness the Warriors scored 37 points in the first half and 30 points in the third quarter. They played a better game and the Grizzlies barely edged them in the quarter 32-30. Memphis took a 95-67 lead into the fourth quarte

As the fourth quarter came to an end the Warriors had suffered their worst loss of the season 123-95. While it was a terrible loss there were some bright spots. Jordan Poole had his 14th straight game with 20 plus points scoring 25 points in this one. The return of Andre Iguodala was another bright spot.

Right now the most important thing for the Warriors is to get home safely and regroup. This has to be the worst road trip that the team has had all season. With six games left in the regular season the sting of this road trip has to be left behind.

The team needs to get healthy and play a few games to get their rhythm and flow going into the playoffs.

Wednesday night the Warriors will be taking on the best team in the NBA, the Phoenix Suns. This will be another tough assignment for Golden State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors drop fifth game out of six; Also Barbara’s favorite moment from the Oscar Awards

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) goes for two against the Washington Wizards guard Ish Smith (4) at the Capital One Arena in Washington on Sun Mar 27, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara is it pretty evident with no Stephen Curry the Golden State Warriors (48-27) have lost their way?

#2 The Washington Wizards who defeated the Warriors on Sunday 123-115 had lost four of their last eight games playing .500. a team that were the underdogs but the way the Warriors have been playing it’s a safe bet not to go near this one.

#3 The Wizards who got an eight point win over the Warriors held close leads for most of the game and hung on to defeat Golden State. The Wizards got scoring help from Corey Kispert 25 points, Kristaps Porzingis 23 points, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who had 22 points.

#4 Warriors leading scorers Jordan Poole led with 26 points, Klay Thompson 25, Andrew Wiggins with 24, maybe they should give Draymond Green the ball more often he finished seven.

#5 Don’t get fresh with the Fresh Prince: Barbara getting off the Warriors subject you had a chance to watch the Oscar Awards tonight the highlight was when comedian Chris Rock got slapped in the face in front of a live audience on live TV by Comedian Will Smith after Rock made a joke about the Fresh Prince’s wife Jada Smith being GI Jane 2. It was a hard slap delivered by Smith right on the face of Rock who was stunned. What was more stunning is Smith dropping the F bomb telling Rock “Keep my wife’s name out of your f—–g mouth” not once but twice.

Join Barbara for the Golden State Warriors podcast Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Again, No Second Half Surge For Warriors; Wizards 123 Warriors 115

Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert (24) takes a shot against the Golden State Warriors at the Capital One Center in Washington DC on Sun Mar 27, 2022 (AP News photo)

Again, No Second Half Surge For Warriors; Wizards 123 Warriors 115

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the Warriors (48-27) took on the Washington Wizards (32-42) at Capital Arena. They would play the game with the same lineup as their game against the Atlanta Hawks Friday night in a losing effort 121-110.

The Warriors had a great offensive game in the first half of that matchup but the defense was lacking and would have to be cleaned up. The Warriors couldn’t keep up dropping their second straight game to the Wizards 123-115.

The Warriors have fallen 3.5 games behind the second place Memphis Grizzlies but are 3.0 games ahead of the fourth place Utah Jazz in the Western Conference. There have been numerous scenarios of just who the Warriors could meet in the first round of the playoffs.

I believe that if you plan to win a championship it doesn’t matter who you play. You have to be equipped to beat every team in the playoffs. You have to be able to beat the best of the best.

The Wizards had a nice first quarter leading mid-way through the game 14-7. The Warriors had some open looks in the quarter but were not able to put points on the board. Their defense looked good and they needed their offense to start clicking.

Despite being outplayed in the opening quarter and shooting only 33% the Warriors were still in this game. The Wizards led 28-24 going into the second quarter and Golden State had to find their offense.

The Warriors fell behind 48-37 mid-way through the second quarter. They had to start stringing some stops together and take away the momentum that the Wizards were playing with.

Washington was confident offensively building a 51-37 lead and the Warriors needed to shut down their rhythm and make a run before the half. After trailing by 18 the Warriors made up some ground at the half. The Wizards led 59-51.

The third quarter was equally as frustrating for Golden State. Every time they got a little momentum going they would either fail to score or turn the ball over. The Warriors were 7 of 25 on three’s through three quarters. Washington continued to lead 92-81.

The fourth quarter went from bad to worse when Draymond Green was hit with a technical foul four minutes into the quarter. The Wizards were having their best three point shooting game of the season. The Warriors could not take the Wizards out of this game giving the Wizards their 30th second win of the season 123-115. For the Warriors it was simply no offense – no win.

Outscored by 24 points from behind the three point line the Warriors struggled from the get go. They did get some offensive work from Jordan Poole with 26, Klay Thompson 25 and Andrew Wiggins with 23.

Draymond Green had a tough game struggling with too many turnovers seven points, six assists and only five rebounds. It was the shots from downtown that failed Golden State. It was an ugly loss for the Warriors and Golden State had lost another game that they had no business losing.

The Warriors will finish this disappointing road trip tomorrow taking on the second place Memphis Grizzlies. This will be a very challenging game especially if they play the way that they played against the Wizards. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Atlanta Prevails Over Golden State 121-110

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) has a conversation official Bennie Adams during the first half at State Farm Arena Fri Mar 25, 2022 (AP News photo)

Atlanta Prevails Over Golden State 121-110

By Barbara Mason

After the incredible win against the Eastern Conference leading Miami Heat (47-27), the Warriors (48-26) took on the Hawks (37-37) in Atlanta Friday night. The young’uns played the game of their lives on Wednesday and it sure would have been fun to see them again in tonight’s game but with Klay Thompson and Draymond Green back on the court the starting roster will look different.

Chances are that those guys were pretty tired after the Magic game playing more minutes than they are used to under normal circumstances. Jordan Poole and Jonathan Kuminga would join Thompson, Green and Wiggins to start this game.

There have been ups and downs in the month of March for the Warriors so what we would see tonight was uncertain. We were soon to find out.

The first quarter was the start that we hoped for from the Warriors. Golden State was leading after the first twelve minutes 42-36. Poole and Thompson had an amazing start in this game. 42 points in one quarter was a great start for the team.

The Warriors led by as much a 11 points in the second quarter but fell behind to trail 69-67 after two quarters. Thompson and Poole continued to lead the team but there were three missed threes in the late minutes of the half. The Warriors were having a great offensive game but they needed more defense having allowed the Hawks to shoot 60% in the first half. There was some work to do in the second half.

The Warriors offense had cooled significantly in the third quarter as the Hawks took a nine point lead 86-77 mid-way through the quarter. Trae Young was making life pretty miserable for Golden State, taking over the game. The Warriors offense needed to wake up since they had pretty much gone to sleep. The offense we saw in the first quarter was no where to be found. They trailed 101-83 after three.

When it looked as if the Warriors were doomed in this game they came storming back in the fourth quarter trailing by five points with 5:12 left in the game. There were some anxious moments in the game when if looked as if Jordan Poole had been pinned with his fifth foul.

After a review it was determined that he did not foul and the Warriors would still have Poole on the floor. The Warriors desperately needed some defense and just could not produce any. The Hawks came away with a 121-110 win.

Despite Golden State overcoming an 18 point deficit to pull within three points the Hawks had just enough left in the tank to beat Golden State.

The offense in the first quarter of this game was a good one and when this game finished Thompson had scored 37 points and Poole with 24. Gary Payton II had 14 points off the bench. The third quarter was the turning point for the Warriors. The Hawks outscored Golden State in that quarter 32-16 and that spelled another loss for the Warriors.

The Warriors will continue their road trip on Sunday taking on the Washington Wizards. Tipoff is schedule for 3:00 PM.