Category: NBA

Warriors Gut Out Win Against Charlotte 110-105

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Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots a 3-point basket over Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington during the first half at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Dec 27, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Gut Out Win Against Charlotte 110-105

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday night the Golden State Warriors (17-18) hosted the Charlotte Hornets (9-26) at Chase Center. This is the second and final game in which these two teams will meets this season. The Hornets beat the Warriors in overtime in their first game last October.

That loss was on the road and set the stage for the string of losses that have followed. The Warriors picked up another win on this homestand with a 110-105 win over the Hornets.

The Warriors needed to start fast and one key in this game was to lock up the paint. The Hornets are not great from downtown and they are also sketchy in defensive transition, weaknesses that the Warriors wanted to exploit. Charlotte’s Kelly Obre Jr. was out for this game.

Obre is a key piece in this rotation and will miss this game with a right hand sprain. LaMelo Ball will pick up the slack for Charlotte along with Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward.

The Warriors looked for another fast start in this second game of their home-stand. Last Sunday Jordon Poole had an amazing start and Klay Thompson did not get going until the second half.

The first quarter was a great start for Golden State with both Poole and Thompson off to the races from the start. The Warriors led 37-26 after the opening quarter. The entire bench was also contributing with some great offensive play.

Golden State led at the break 65-52. They had slightly extended their first quarter points lead and had contained Ball who only had seven points and was in a bit of foul trouble with three at half time.

Thompson had the start we were all waiting to see finishing the first half with 20 points and Jordan Poole had 12 after two quarters. Golden State only had six turnovers in the half, another plus.

After three quarters the Warriors held onto an eleven point lead 89-78. The Hornets really dug in offensively with a 12-2 run in the fourth quarter. The Warriors saw a 17 point lead shrink down to 96-95 with 7:07 left in the game. This game got very uncomfortable in the final four minutes.

The game was tied at 101 with 4:07 left on the clock. Both teams had committed thirteen turnovers and the three’s were just not falling for Golden State. They only had eight from downtown; they were eight of 37. Both teams were shooting at 41% and both teams were pretty miserable from beyond the arc.

The Warriors really stepped up in the final minutes to close out the game. Jonathan Kuminga was on fire playing like a veteran, especially down the stretch. He was four of four in the fourth quarter. You have to credit the Hornets with the comeback they made. They came up just short as Golden State won yet another game at home.

Thompson finished with 29 points and Poole had 24. Off the bench Kuminga had 14 points and six rebounds playing a huge role in this win.

Tomorrow night the Warriors take on the Utah Jazz in a tough matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Nuggets come from behind to defeat Kings 113-106; First of back to back games

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Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) scores a basket while defended by Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Huerter (9) in the first quarter at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Tue Dec 27, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Tuesday night. The Kings hadn’t played since Friday, when they took on the Washington Wizards in Sacramento. The Kings did not play well in their last game and looked to bounce back against one of the premier teams in the NBA. The Kings welcomed the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday.

The Nuggets were set to take on the Kings at 7 PM PST. However, the Kings were without star center Domantas Sabonis. Domas would miss the game on Tuesday and be listed as questionable moving forward with his hand issues. The injury is a big deal for the upstart Kings, as Domas has been playing at an All-Star level this year.

The Nuggets would be in town for two games with the back-to-back on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Kings would lose the first game of the back-to-back 113-106 to Denver.

In the first quarter, it was all Kings. The Kings, even without star center Domas Sabonis, managed to score 32 points. On the other hand, the Nuggets couldn’t buy a basket.

The Kings solid good defense, coupled with the Nuggets poor shooting, amounted to an uninspiring 20 points for the Nuggets in the first. Harrison Barens led the way for the Kings with eight points as Michael Porter Jr. matched him for the Nuggets. The Kings would look to keep the pressure on in the second quarter.

In the second quarter, the Kings could have played better. The offense wasn’t flowing the same as in the first quarter. The defense also wasn’t as tight as in the first quarter. One thing the Kings did well in the first half was they contained Nikola Jokic. He ended the half with only two points.

On the other hand, MPJ picked up the slack on the offense. He torched the Kings in the first half with 19 points. Harrison Barnes led the Kings in the first half with 13 points. The Kings would have the first-half lead 56-47. The Nuggets outscored the Kings 27-24 in the second quarter.

In the third quarter, both teams were jarring for position. Neither team really got on a big run. In the end, the Nuggets would outscore the Kings 32-27 in the third quarter to continue to shrink the Kings lead.

The game was headed into the final quarter with the Kings leading 83-79. The Kings had been losing their lead slowly in the game and would need to stop the bleeding in the fourth to win the game.

In the fourth quarter, the Nuggets continued to pressure the Kings. The Nuggets completed the comeback early in the fourth and from there it was a question of who could play better the rest of the game. Unfortunately for the Kings, the bleeding never stopped and they would lose the game 113-106.

The Nuggets pressure amounted to outscoring the Kings again in the fourth quarter 34-23. Sacramento battled but could never regain the momentum and control they had in the first quarter. The Nuggets were led in victory by MPJ who scored 30 points. Nikola Jokic was a rebound short of a triple double and scored 20 points. De’Aaron Fox had 26 points to lead the Kings in defeat.

Up Next: The Kings will remain home for the second night of a back-to-back on Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets at 7 PM PST.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors start 8 game homestand with 123-109 win

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Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney, center left, drives to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams, center right in first half action at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun Dec 25, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 The first half was a much needed “Poole Party” with Jordan Poole finishing the first two quarters with 20 points. At the half the Golden State Warriors (16-18) led 59-54.

#2 Golden State desperately needed more from Klay Thompson who had to step it up in the second half. He had seven points in the half and in the absence of Stephen Curry both of these guys, Thompson and Jordan had no choice but to step it up in every game.

#3 Golden State desperately needed more from Thompson who had to step it up in the second half. He had seven points in the half and in the absence of Curry both of these guys, Thompson and Jordan had no choice but to step it up in every game.

#4 Barbara, Poole was lights out against the Memphis Grizzlies (20-12), Poole led all scorers with 32 points and there was nothing the Grizzlies could do to shut him down this is a performance that lead the Warriors to start stringing wins together after they’ve really been struggling on the road.

#5 The Charlotte Hornets (9-24) who are 2-2 on this current road trip pay Golden State a visit on Tuesday night at Chase Center. The Warriors have lost seven of their last tem games but really turned it around on Christmas night. How do you see this match up Tuesday with the Hornets?

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

No Curry, No Wiggins, No Problem Warriors Beat Grizzlies 123-109

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Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) shoots a 3-point basket against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun Dec 25, 2022 (AP News photo)

No Curry, No Wiggins, No Problem Warriors Beat Grizzlies 123-109

By Barbara Mason

Christmas Day the Golden State Warriors (16-18) hosted the Memphis Grizzlies (20-13) at Chase Center. After being absolutely obliterated by the Nets Wednesday evening 143-113, taking the court back at Chase will be good for the team. Warriors guard Jordan Poole led with 32 points in the 123-109 win over the Grizzlies.

The Warriors lost the first quarter of that game 46-17 and trailed at the half 91-51. The absence of Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins weighed heavily on the team. Their most recent road trip was a real disaster with not only the loss of Curry but also going one of five. They will now have an extended home stand playing eight games at Chase.

Christmas day game recap: The Warriors led after the first quarter 33-29. In the opening quarter the Warrior were able to keep Ja Morant somewhat contained. The first half was a much needed “Poole Party” with Jordan finishing the first two quarters with 20 points. At the half the Warriors led 59-54.

Golden State desperately needed more from Thompson who had to step it up in the second half. He had seven points in the half and in the absence of Curry both of these guys, Thompson and Jordan had no choice but to step it up in every game.

They would be the anchor that rights this team until Curry is able to rejoin the team. Curry will be re-evaluated in two weeks. January 7th is a date that has been put out there but more will be revealed in a couple of weeks.

Golden State turned it on big time in the third quarter leading 99-84. Poole showed no signs of slowing down and Thompson had turned it up a notch more than doubling his point count in the entire first half.

Golden State kept their foot on the pedal in the fourth quarter finishing off the Grizzlies 123-109. Poole finished with 32 points and Thompson really stepped it up shooting for 24 points. Draymond Green had 13 rebounds for the game. The Warriors always shine at Chase and this game was no exception. Playing the next eight games at home is going to be a real positive.

Tuesday night the Warriors will meet the Hornets at Chase Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

King drop second game on homestand to Wizards 125-111 Friday

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Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert, second from left, drives to the basket past Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Fri Dec 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (17-14) were back in action on Friday night. The Kings last played on Wednesday night as they took on LeBron James and the LA Lakers at home. The Kings handled the Lakers with ease and looked to continue the trend on Friday. The Kings were set to take on the visiting Washington Wizards (13-21) at 7PM on Friday night. The Kings dropped the contest by the final of 125-111.

In the first quarter, the Kings started slow. The Kings offense got off to a sluggish start in the first quarter. They did manage to score 27 points in the first quarter. However, the Wizards scored 28 points with Bradley Beal leading the way with nine. Domas Sabonis led the way for the Kings with eight points.

In the second quarter, it was even worse for the Kings. The Kings offense couldn’t catch a break and the Wizards were running in the open court on offense. The Kings appeared lifeless on this Friday night and the Golden One Center crowd was audibly unhappy.

The Kings were outscored by a massive 40-23 in the second quarter to fall into a 18 point deficit headed into halftime. The Wizards could do no wrong on the offensive end shooting near 60% in the first half. The Kings would need a massive rally in the second half to come back 68-50.

In the third quarter, it was a much more even game. However, that is not what the Kings needed. In desperate need for a big quarter the Kings only managed to hang tight against the Wizards. The Kings scored 33 points in the third compared to the Wizards 34. The massive second quarter for the Wizards was holding strong for them up through the third. The Kings would head into the final quarter down 102-83. Would the Kings pull off a stunning comeback in the fourth?

In the fourth quarter, the Kings weren’t able to rally back. The Wizards continued to put the pressure on the Kings in the fourth quarter so squander any chance the Kings had at a comeback. The Kings managed to out score the Wizards 28-23 in the fourth but it was too little too late.

The Wizards had built such an insurmountable lead in the second quarter that they rolled to the victory 125-111. It was a disappointing loss for the Kings in front of a great Golden 1 Center crowd. Kyle Kuzma led all scorers with 32 points in the game to lead the Wizards to victory.

On the other hand, Domantas Sabonis had a triple double for the Kings and De’Aaron Fox finished with 26 points. It was a disappointing loss for the Kings, akin to the recent loss to Charlotte. However, the Kings will look to turn the page after Christmas.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday at 7 PM PST.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings host a struggling Wizards team tonight at Golden One

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Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers center Thomas Bryant (31) during the first quarter at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Wed Dec 21, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Sacramento Kings (17-13) did not welcome Lebron “King” James and the Los Angeles Lakers (13-18) into their kingdom and threw them into the moat surrounding Golden 1 Center 134-120.

#2 The Lakers actually had the advantage after the first 12 minutes of play, 26-25 in a quarter that had ten lead changes and five ties.

#3 The Kings managed to take the lead at the midway point of the contest with veteran forward and champion, Harrison Barnes led the charge with 14 points and totaled 20 for the game. At the half, 66-58 Kings.

#4 The fourth was just a formality, as the Kings held on to win by 14, despite being outscored by six at the hands of the Lakers.

#5 The Kings host the Washington Wizards who have lost nine of their last ten games. The Kings who are in sixth place and have won six of their last ten games. How do you see this game after the 7:00pm tip tonight.

Join Jeremiah for the Kings podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Remove Lebron’s Crown Beat Lakers in California State Capital, 134-120

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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) makes way against the Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) in second half action at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Wed Dec 21, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento Kings (17-13) did not welcome Lebron “King” James and the Los Angeles Lakers (13-18) into their kingdom and threw them into the moat surrounding Golden 1 Center 134-120.

The Lakers actually had the advantage after the first 12 minutes of play, 26-25 in a quarter that had 10 lead changes and five ties.

The Kings managed to take the lead at the midway point of the contest with veteran forward and champion, Harrison Barnes led the charge with 14 points and totaled 20 for the game. At the half, 66-58 Kings.

Sacramento blew it open in the third quarter, with a lead as large as 23 points and they went on a 14-0 run in the 3/4 portion of the game, leading by 20, 106-86.

The fourth was just a formality, as the Kings held on to win by 14, despite being outscored by six at the hands of the Lakers, Final tally, 134-120 for the home team.

The Kings had six players in double-figures, spearheaded by guard Kevin Huerter’s 26 points and center Domantas Sabonis’ triple-double (13 points, 21 rebounds and 14 assists). Forward Keegan Murray contributed a career high 23 points and star guard De’Arron Fox put up 22 points and 6 assists, but was ejected from the game for amassing two technical fouls.

The Lakers had the entire starting five hit double-figures in points too, but of course led Lebron James’ 31 points, 11 assists and 6 rebounds. Even with the loss in emphatic fashion, James expressed his fondness of Sacramento, because it is the city where everything started with his magnificent career.

The Kings will be in action again, Friday December 23, hosting the Washington Wizards. The Lakers will head back down south to welcome the Charlotte Hornets, also December 23.

Warriors blown out once again by Nets 143-113; Golden State losers of five of last six games

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Brooklyn Nets’ Ben Simmons (10) dunks the ball in front of Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole (3) and Anthony Lamb (40) during the first half at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn on Wed Dec 21, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

BROOKLYN, NY. — The Golden State Warriors (15-18) finished their rough six-game road trip with a back-to-back blowout loss, falling 143-113 to the Brooklyn Nets (20-12) on Wednesday night at Barclays Center.

Brooklyn pummeled Golden State in the first half, scoring 91 points, the third-biggest in NBA history. The Warriors had 51 at the half, without injured Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson, who sat out after facing the New York Knicks on Tuesday.

The Nets made 11 of their first 12 shots and led 46-17 at the end of the first quarter. The 29-point differential was the biggest in any period in the league this season.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said early turnovers, totaling 21 by the end the night, helped the Nets gain momentum.

“We set a bad tone. You can’t, you can’t play defense recovering from a turnover, and so that was the biggest issue to start the game. We were just trying too hard to create plays and getting out of control,” said Kerr. “And then they made everything. They were phenomenal in the first half.”

Former Warriors player Kevin Durant got a technical foul for celebrating on the sidelines after Nets teammate Ben Simmons slammed down a pass. It didn’t matter much, since the Nets were up 68-31 halfway through the second quarter.

Warriors forward Patrick Baldwin Jr., who guarded Durant after a timeout, acknowledged that many young players look up to him.

“At that moment you’ve just got to step up to the challenge. I thought a lot of guys did that tonight,” said Baldwin Jr. “KD is going to be KD, he’s going to hit his tough shots, he’s going to get to his spots, but I thought a lot of guys stepped up and accepted that challenge.”

The Warriors sank to 95-51 after Simmons scored the first two baskets in the third quarter. They did not come close to closing the gap in the fourth.

Golden State’s leading scorer was James Wiseman, who had a career-high 30 points on 12-for-14 shooting.

Wiseman, whom the Warriors recently recalled from the G League and has an uncertain future, said the team had too many turnovers and broke down on defense.

“We just got to have communication and stuff and we’ll be alright,” said Wiseman. “But I feel like we did way better than the last game just in terms of playing and stuff.”

The Warriors (15-18) are on a two-game losing streak after the Knicks beat them by 38 points, and went 1-5 on the road. They return home and have several days off before a Christmas Day game against the Memphis Grizzlies (19-11) at Chase Center. Tip-off is at 5 p.m.

Knicks simply controlled the ball crush Warriors at MSG 132-94

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New York Knicks’ Miles McBride (2) dunks the ball in front of Golden State Warriors’ James Wiseman (33) during the second half at Madison Square Garden in New York on Tue Dec 20, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK, NY. — The short-handed Golden State Warriors (15-17) suffered a 132-94 blowout loss to the New York Knicks (18-13) at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, in the first of a back-to-back in the Big Apple.

New York scored the first eight points and never trailed the Warriors, who were without Stephen Curry due to a left shoulder injury, Andrew Wiggins with a strained right adductor, Andre Iguodala who has not played yet this season, and others.

The Knicks finished the first quarter ahead 33-25. The Warriors got within 35-33, but Quentin Grimes hit a triple with 4:17 left in the second quarter to boost the Knicks up 60-45. Golden State trailed 69-56 at the half.

“The Knicks are in a good groove right now. They totally outplayed us,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. “We sank tonight. We’re trying to hang in there and we will. Another game tomorrow.”

With 5:37 to go in the third quarter, Mitchell Robinson scored a couple of free throws that extended New York’s lead to 88-67. Then Immanuel Quickley’s free throws with five seconds remaining brought the Knicks to 100 points. They led 100-81 at the end of the quarter.

The Warriors never closed the gap in the fourth quarter, and the Knicks won their eighth straight game to improve to 18-13.

“We probably could’ve did a better job of making them feel our presence on the three-point line today,” said Warriors guard Jordan Poole. “We got a couple of easy looks early and it’s hard to stop a team once they get going.”

Poole was the leading scorer for the Warriors, with 26 points. Jonathan Kuminga scored 13 points and Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Ty Jerome had 11 each.

The Warriors (15-17) finish their six-game road trip against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. Tip-off is at 4:30 p.m.

Golden State will be even more depleted at Barclays Center, as Kerr confirmed that Thompson will not play in the second of the back-to-back games.

“It’s always tough – the last one on the road’s always tough, especially on a back-to-back. But hopefully we can learn from what we did tonight and we can be better tomorrow,” said Warriors center Kevon Looney.

“Usually when we lose a tough one or we get embarrassed like we did tonight we usually respond well, so hopefully we can go out there and play a little angry and play a little tougher and play better.”

Tuesday night’s result was quite the opposite of the Warriors’ last contest against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden last December, when they won 105-96 and Curry became the NBA’s career leader in three-pointers.

Charlotte Bests Sacramento 125-119

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The Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) moves towards the basket against the Charlotte Hornets center Mason Plumlee (24) at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Mon Dec 19, 2022 (@SacramentoKings photo)

Charlotte Bests Sacramento 125-119

By Barbara Mason

Monday night the Sacramento Kings (16-13) hosted the Charlotte Hornets (8-23) at Golden 1 Center. The Kings come into this game riding on a two game winning streak. In a back and forth contest the Hornets hung on to beat the Kings at Golden One Center in Sacramento 125-119.

The Hornets took a 39-30 lead after the first 12 minutes. 20 seconds into the second quarter the Hornets had taken an 11 point lead. The Kings began to slowly turn things around and with 5:30 left in the half the game was tied at 50. At the half the Hornets led 66-63. The Kings missed three shots in a row in the final minute erasing the seven point lead they had taken in the final 21/2 minutes of the second quarter.

The Hornets Kelly Oubre Jr. had 17 points in the first half. Domantas Sabonis finished the half with 14 points and 16 rebounds for the Kings. Along with Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes also had double digits in the half.

The Kings erased a 12 point Hornets advantage taking the lead 87-85 at 2:29 in the third quarter. Sacramento was clinging to a one-point lead 92-91 after three.

With two minutes left in the game, the Kings trailed 118-112. Sacramento pulled to within two points 118-116 at 1:10. Charlotte refused to give up the lead and with 56 ticks left on the clock led 122-116. The final was 125-119 in favor of the Hornets.

Despite the loss the Kings saw some nice numbers from their starters. De’Aaron Fox finished with 37 points and Sabonis had 28 points and 23 rebounds. Sacramento just couldn’t come up with enough to put the Hornets away.

The high score for the Hornets was Kelly Oubre Jr. with 31 points. LaMelo Ball finished with 23.

Wednesday night the Kings will host the Los Angeles Lakers. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.