Tag: Golden State Warriors

Kings drop final game of the season to Denver 109-95

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Huerter, left, fights for control of a loose ball with Denver Nuggets forward Bruce Brown in the second half in Denver on Sun Apr 9, 2023 (AP News photo)

Kings Drop Final Game of the Season to Denver 109-95

By Barbara Mason

Easter Sunday afternoon there was a lot of action in the NBA and a lot of teams fighting for position in the final standings. But, one of those games between the third place Sacramento Kings (48-34) and the first place Denver Nuggets (53-29) had nothing to do with the final standing in the Western Conference. The Nuggets got a six point win over the Kings 109-95.

Coming into this game the Nuggets were on a 3-game skid and a win would be a good thing going into the playoffs. The Kings have lost their last two games the most recent game to the Golden State Warriors 119-97. In this game the Kings did not play most of their starters giving them the night off.

The Kings got a great start in the first quarter leading 43-26. The Nuggets were playing without numerous starters. Jokic, Murray, Porter Jr. and Gordon were unable to play this games due to assorted injuries from leg tightness to inflammation to sprains.

The Kings had a halftime lead 67-59. They had played their usual starting lineup and going into the third quarter, De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis and Harrison Barnes sat for the second half.

The Nuggets took a slim lead into the fourth quarter 83-81 and finished off the Kings with a final of 109-95. Denver had outscored the Kings in the third (24-14) and fourth (26-14) quarters erasing the 17 point lead Sacramento had had in the first quarter.

Sacramento had a great start in this game despite the loss. They made six of their first seven shots from downtown before the Nuggets began to recover. The Kings only shot 35% in the final three quarters. This team came into the game as the highest -scoring team in the NBA. Harrison Barnes had the team high with 17 points even though he sat in the final 24 minutes.

Going into the playoffs the Kings hope to step it up a notch higher than they had during the regular season. The turn-around that this team has experienced this season has been nothing short of amazing. They have to be sentimental favorites going forward.

They are certainly the talk of the NBA and they deserve all the accolades thrown their way. It has been a very long since this team has been a playoff team and they will not have the post season experience that many of these teams will have.

This could hurt them, however, this is a determined group with an amazing bench and some phenomenal starters. A lot of credit for this turnaround has to go to Head Coach Mike Brown. The Kings had all the pieces and Brown knew exactly how to put them together.

The Sacramento Kings will face the sixth seed in the playoffs which was revealed today. They will face the Golden State Warriors who demolished the Trail Blazers this afternoon 157-101.

Warriors avoid play in tournament with decisive win over Portland 157-101; Golden State to face Sacramento in first round

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson reacts after making a 3-point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half in Portland on Sun Apr 8, 2023 (AP News photo)

Warriors Avoid Play In Tournament With Decisive Win Over Portland 157-101

By Barbara Mason

It’s an exciting time for the Golden State Warriors (44-38) who now control their own destiny. Sunday they took on the Portland Trail Blazers (33-49). The Warriors win guaranteed them a spot in the playoffs and were eliminated from a play in game with a huge win over the Trail Blazers 157-101 in the last game of the 2022-23 season.

The Warriors had an amazing opening quarter in this game. Klay Thompson had five triples and the team finished the first quarter with 12 shots from beyond the arc and led after the first twelve minutes 55-27.

Those 55 points in the first quarter were a new NBA record and the 12 made three’s tied the most shots in an opening quarter and the Warriors were having a terrific game. On top of all of these milestones, Thompson became only the third players in NBA history to hit 300 3-pointers in a season. Only one turnover; just another high point in an amazing start for Golden State.

The Warriors kept some tight defense on Portland and limited their scoring opportunities continuing to maintain their significant lead 64-34 with eight minutes left in the half. After the first two quarters Golden State had an 84-53 lead. The way these guys were shooting three’s left you breathless.

The Warriors would take some incredible momentum into the third quarter, the likes of which we have not seen all season especially on the road. Two quarters stood between the Warriors and a spot in the playoffs plus the elimination of a play-in tournament.

There were only five turnovers in the first half for the Warriors. They were shooting at nearly 60% from the field and over 50% from downtown. They were out rebounding the Trail Blazers 29 to 17. Stephen Curry finished the half with 18 points as did Jordan Poole off the bench.

There was no stopping the Warriors in the third quarter. They extended their lead to 120-75 with one quarter left in the game. Golden State had 21 shots from downtown shooting just over 55%. They had not let- down one bit in this game as they went into the final quarter.

With ten minutes left in the fourth quarter Curry, Green, Thompson, Poole and Looney were finished for the day. Curry finished with 26 points, Thompson had 20 points, and Poole had 21 off the bench. Golden State finished with 27 triples in this amazing win.

The long and winding road had come to an end for the Warriors in the regular season. If the way they have played to close out the season is any indication, these guys are peaking at the perfect time. With this decisive win the Warriors will get a week off before traveling to Sacramento to take on the Kings in the first round of the playoffs.

Sacramento Kings game wrap: Warriors’ Thompson lights up Kings with 29 points in 119-97 win

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Golden State Warriors guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) defends against Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell (15) during the first quarter at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Fri Apr 7, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Friday night at the Golden One Center. The Kings were coming off a day off on Thursday after they finished up back-to-back on Wednesday night. On Friday, the Kings didn’t have much to play for in the regular season.

The Kings had already secured the third seed in the Western Conference. On the other hand, the Warriors were fighting for the sixth seed in the standings to avoid a play-in-game scenario and move to a playoff series. On Friday, the Kings fell to the Warriors 119-97.

In the first quarter, the Kings played a terrible quarter. Granted, the Kings sat De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Kevin Huerter. However, the Kings didn’t put up much of a fight at all. In the first quarter, the Kings only scored 16 points against the Warriors defense.

In addition, the Kings couldn’t hit any of their shots. On the flip side, The Warriors offense started solid. The Warriors scored 32 points in the first quarter to jump to an early lead.

In the second quarter, the Kings showed significantly more effort. The Kings scored 32 points in the second quarter to make it a ballgame again. The Warriors could only score 21 points as the Kings defense stepped up. It was a positive sign for the Kings reserves, who did not play well in the first quarter.

The Kings got eight-point first-half performances from Harrison Barnes, Terence Davis, and Trey Lyles. Stephen Curry led the way for the Warriors with 13 points in the first half. The Kings trailed 53-48 going into the second half.

In the third quarter, the Warriors started to pick up the pace again. The Kings were outscored in the third quarter 33-25. The Warriors offense began to fire on all cylinders after taking a break in the second quarter. The Kings offense couldn’t match the output from the Warriors. The Kings would go into the final quarter trailing 86-73.

The final quarter was much ado about nothing. The Kings and the third-string players could not match the output from the Warriors. The Warriors played their starters almost the entire game to ensure no opportunity slipped away from them.

At the end of the day, practically no starters played for the Kings, and the result was as expected. The Kings were outscored in the final quarter 33-24 as the Warriors would win. Klay Thompson led the way for the Warriors with 29 points. The Kings best performance came from Trey Lyles, who scored 15 points.

Up Next: The Kings will travel to Denver to take on the Nuggets in the final regular season game of the year on Sunday at 12 PST.

Golden State Warriors game wrap: Warriors beat Kings in must win game 119-97

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Draymond Green (23) strip the ball away from Sacramento Kings guard Terence Davis, center, in the first quarter at Chase Center in Sacramento on Fri Apr 7, 2023 (AP News photo)

Warriors Beat Kings In Must Win Game 119-97

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Golden State Warriors (43-38) traveled to Sacrament to take on the Kings (48-33) at Golden One Center. The Kings have absolutely nothing to play having already secured third place in the Western Conference. In contrast the Warriors were desperate to win this one.

The one thing that they want to avoid is the dreaded play-in game. This had been a real shoot-out in the wild wild Western Conference and the Warriors win this must win game 119-97.

The Warriors had everyone on board in the first quarter with the exception of Andrew Wiggins who we will not see in these final two games.

Golden State took early control of this game in the opening quarter leading after 12 minutes 32-16. The Warriors needed this game and they were sure playing like it. They had a great start and needed the same effort through three more quarters.

The Kings started to turn this game around in the second quarter outscoring the Warriors 32-21 but Golden State had the lead at the half 53-48. This game was becoming uncomfortably close heading into the third quarter.

The Warriors got back on track in the third quarter outscoring the Kings 33-25 taking a 86-73 lead with one more quarter to clock a win.

Golden State sent the memo loud and clear in the fourth quarter taking a 112-89 lead with under five minutes left in the game. They came to win and that’s just what they did tonight.

The Splash Brothers sure made a statement in this game scoring 54 points between them. Thompson had the high score with 29 points and Curry with 25. Kevon Looney continues his impressive defense with 16 rebounds.

Granted the Kings were shorthanded, but the Warriors did play a terrific game and need to take that up to Portland and into the playoffs.

On Easter Sunday the Warriors will finish up the 2022- 23 season up in Portland taking on the Trail Blazers. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:30 PM.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings close home season against Warriors tonight at Golden 1

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) makes a move to the basket in front of Dallas Mavericks forward Christian Wood (35) and guard Jaden Hardy (3) during the first half at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas on Wed Apr 5, 2023. Fox will not be in the line up for Friday’s game against Golden State. (AP News photo)

On the Sac Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Wednesday night the Sacramento Kings (48-32) took on the Dallas Mavericks (38-42) at American Airlines Center. The Kings have secured their spot in the playoffs and are chasing 50 wins with a possibility of 51 wins when all is said and done heading into the playoffs.

#2 The Mavericks picked up the win against the Kings playing desperately to stay alive for a 123-119. While the main motivation for the Mavericks were to stay in for the post season chase they really leaned on Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, and Tim Hardaway Jr for offensive help.

#3 Kyrie Irving scored 19 points in the final 12 minutes and willed his team to a 123-119 win keeping them alive although barely. The Kings were hoping to administer the last rites in Dallas but the Mavericks were on fire in the second half and refused to go away.

#4 The Kings did not have the fourth quarter magic that we have seen so often this season. Fox finished with the high score shooting for 28 points. Every starter finished with double digits and Sabonis had yet another triple double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

#5 Friday night the Kings will be back home taking on the Golden State Warriors at Golden One Center. This will be yet another team that is fighting for position in the playoffs. The Warriors do not want to have to end up in a play in game and so this is a critical game for them. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

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

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Kuminga and Lamb make up difference for injured Thompson

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) drives to the basket against Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) and guard Moses Moody during the first half at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Apr 4, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 The Warriors did not have Klay Thompson available Tuesday night. Thompson was a late scratch due to tightness in his lower back. Steve Kerr had Jonathan Kuminga and Anthony Lamb in the starting lineup and that made the difference for the missing Thompson in the Warriors 136-125 win.

#2 The Warriors had five players in double figures. Curry paced the offense with 34 points, five rebounds, and six assists, and Curry made six threes. Poole had 30 points, two rebounds, and four assists, and Poole made five threes. Green had quite a night.

#3 Andrew Wiggins won’t return on the floor soon coach Kerr said that Wiggins will get into practice shape and he’ll most likely be saved for the post season to avoid injuries during the closing days of the regular season.

#4 The Warriors have two games left in the regular season. Both games are on the road. The Warriors meet the Sacramento Kings Friday night in Sacramento for a 7:00 pm PDT tip. 

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

Warrior thriller shuts down OKC offense in second half win 136-125

Published on by rxsluggerLeave a comment

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, top left, reaches for the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) and guard Moses Moody, bottom, during the first half at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Apr 4, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (42-38) played their final home game of the regular season Tuesday night at the Chase Center. Their opponent were the Oklahoma City Thunder (38-42).

OKC beat the Warriors in Oklahoma City the last time the teams played. The young Thunder players love to drive to the rim and get opportunities to make three-point plays.

The Warriors did not have Klay Thompson available Tuesday night. Thompson was a late scratch due to tightness in his lower back. Steve Kerr had Jonathan Kuminga and Anthony Lamb in the starting lineup and that made the difference for the missing Thompson in the Warriors 136-125 win.

The game turned out to be a high-scoring affair. The Thunder shot a blistering 59.6% from the floor in the first half. The Thunder won the first quarter 39-36. The Thunder scored 40 points in the second period. The Warriors scored 33 in the period but found themselves down 79-69 at the end of two periods of play.

Curry led the Warriors with 24. No other Warrior was in double figures. The Thunder had four players in double figures. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 21. Jalen Williams had 14, Isaiah Joe 14, and Lu Dort added 11. 

The Warriors have had several comebacks from double-digit deficits this season. The Warriors would need better defense if they hoped to win. The Warriors needed Jordan Poole, Donte DiVincenzo, Draymond Green, and Moses Moody to get going on offense. All those players came through for golden state.

The Warriors won the third quarter 33-27 to cut the deficit to four, 106-102 at the end of the third period. Stephen Curry started the fourth quarter on the bench. Poole met the challenge by making a three to tie the game 108-108. Poole made another bucket to make 110-108.

The Thunder made a three to regain the lead 111-110. Poole made a three and a two-point basket to give the Warriors the advantage 115-113. The Thunder tied the game at 115-115. Curry entered the game and made a three. The Warriors led 118-115. The Thunder didn’t know it then, but they were toast.

The Warriors defense stiffened as they held the Thunder to 19 points in the fourth quarter. The Warriors scored 33. Green, Gary Payton II, and Kevon Looney played well on defense. Curry and Poole led the comeback to give the Warriors the win.

Game Notes: With the win, the Warriors are 42-38. The Warriors are 33-8 at the Chase Center this year. The Warriors are currently in fifth place in the Western Conference. They will drop to sixth as the winner of the Clipper-Laker game will take the fifth spot. The Thunder lost their third in a row and fourth in the last five. The Thunder are now 38-42.

In the second half, the Warrior defense held the Thunder to 39% from the floor. The Warriors won the second half 67-46. 

The Warriors had five players in double figures. Curry paced the offense with 34 points, five rebounds, and six assists, and Curry made six threes. Poole had 30 points, two rebounds, and four assists, and Poole made five threes. Green had quite a night.

Green had 17 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, blocked two shots, and made two steals. DiVincenzo kicked in with 16 points, six boards, and five assists. DiVincezo made four threes. Moody added 13 points. Moody made three threes. Looney recorded 11 boards.

Gilgeous-Alexander paced the Thunder attack with 32 points. Jalen William had 19, Josh Giddey 16, Aaron Wiggins 11, and Isiaah Joe 14.

The Warriors have two games left in the regular season. Both games are on the road. The Warriors meet the Sacramento Kings Friday night in Sacramento for a 7:00 pm PDT tip. 

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Wiggins back in Bay girlfriend instagrams he’ll be back soon

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins girlfriend Mychal Johnson instagrammed that Wiggins will be back soon. Head coach Steve Kerr has shutdown all rumors that Wiggins will be out for the rest of the season. There has been talk Wiggins could be back for the post season. (photo from clutchpoints.com)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Barbara, the Golden State Warriors came out of the gates in the first quarter with a ten point lead 36-26 and held the Denver Nuggets in check to start off the game.

#2 The Warriors continued on the same path in the second quarter and two minutes into the quarter led 44-31. The Warriors led by as much as 15 points in the quarter but at 2:44 the Nuggets had trimmed the Golden State lead to five 56-51. 

#3 The best two-point shooting team in the league started to show their muscle in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets took a 105-96 lead with 5:40 left in the game and came out a two point winner in the end.

#4 Andrew Wiggins whose been out of action is reportedly back in the Bay Area and his girlfriend Mychal Johnson says Wiggins will be back soon. Wiggins has been out due to a mysterious and undisclosed reason. Rumors had Wiggins not returning for the rest of the season but Mychal’s communique sounds like Wiggins is about to make an appearance.

#5 Tuesday night the Warriors will be back home at Chase taking on the OKC Thunder. Tipoff is scheduled 7:00 PM. How do you see this match up?

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

Warriors Unable to Finish Against Western Conference Leader Denver 112-110 

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Denver Nuggets Jeff Green (32) and the Golden State Warriors Jonathan Kuminga (00) jump for the basketball at Ball Arena in Denver on Sun Apr 2, 2023 (@warriors photo)

     By Barbara Mason

Sunday evening the Golden State Warriors (41-38) took on the Denver Nuggets (52-26) at Ball Arena. The Nuggets sit on top of the Western Conference and the Warriors could not bring their A-game against the Nuggets in a road game in Denver losing 112-110.

The Warriors have struggled mightily on the road this season and couldn’t find a way to handle this game. Nikola Jokic did not play in this game out with a calf issue missing a third game.

The Warriors handled the first quarter very well leading after the first twelve minutes 36-26. Golden State had a solid start, they were attacking the basket and put out some very good defense. The Warriors have won their last two road games and were looking to make it three. If the first 12 minutes were any indication, the Warriors play in this game was very promising.

The Warriors continued on the same path in the second quarter and two minutes into the quarter led 44-31. The Warriors led by as much as fifteen points in the quarter but at 2:44 the Nuggets had trimmed the Golden State lead to five 56-51. Denver had been cold from beyond the arc but started to heat up as the first half came to an end. The Warriors had the lead at the half 61-58 but the Nuggets owned the later part of the second quarter.

Golden State started adding to their lead in the third quarter 71-63 only to see it dissolve at 7:21. Denver tied up the game 71-71. For the first time since the start of the game the Nuggets took the lead 73-71. Both teams were having a miserable night shooting three’s. Denver was seven of 27 and the Warriors were 7 of 30. After the first three quarters the Nuggets ha a 89-87 lead. This game was still up for grabs.

The best two-point shooting team in the league started to show their muscle in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets took a 105-96 lead with 5:40 left in the game. Denver was in control outplaying the Warriors in the second half and leading 109-98 with under four minutes left in the game. This was the Nuggets largest lead of the game and they showed no signs of slowing down. The Nuggets got a two point win.

The bottom line is that the Warriors just didn’t shoot well enough to win this game. Stephen Curry finished with 21 points but was two of 13 from downtown. Off the bench Jordan Poole had 17 points. The Warriors were able to hang in this game for three quarters but fell short in the fourth quarter unable to finish. The promise that the Warriors showed in the first half vanished in the fourth quarter when the game was on the line.

The Warriors did make a valiant effort in the final two minutes of this game. The Nuggets had an 11 point lead 112-101 but Golden State pulled to within two points. Klay Thompson had a great look with 4.1 left on the clock to win the game. He missed and the Warriors came up a bucket short. It was a wild finish and Golden State fought hard to the very end.

Tuesday night the Warriors will be back home at Chase taking on the OKC Thunder. Tipoff is scheduled 7:00 PM.

        

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Green ends up in foul trouble again in shoving match with Pelicans Ingram

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The feet of Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, top, land on the head of New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones, bottom, during the second quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Mar 28, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 The Golden State Warriors Draymond Green and the New Orleans Pelicans Brandon Ingram got into a tussle in the second quarter. Green pushed Ingram out of bounds as Ingram was driving for a layup. Ingram took exception to Green’s foul, and the players got into a shoving match. Each player was charged with a technical foul. Green’s foul was upgraded to a flagrant foul. 

#2 With the120-109 win, the Warriors are 40-37. The Warriors are 31-8 at home. The Pelicans fell to 39-38. The Pelicans are 14-26 on the road. The Warriors are in sixth place in the Western Conference. The Pelicans are one and 1/2 games behind the Warriors. 

#3 The Warriors have five games left in the regular season. They face the San Antonio Spurs (19-56) at the Chase Center Friday night. The game will start at 7 pm. David wanted to get your take on this upcoming matchup.

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