Tag: NBA

Sacramento Kings report: Fox up for the challenge will be in the line up for game 5

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Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) reacts after making a 3-point basket in the third quarter during Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the NBA playoffs on Sat Apr 15, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Fox injured his left index finger during game 4 Sun Apr 23, 2023 at Chase Center in San Francisco and is expected back in the line up for game 5 Wed Apr 26, 2023 at Golden 1 (AP News photo)

DeAaron Fox – Up For the Challenge

By Barbara Mason

After Monday’s update, Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox was doubtful for game five vs the Golden State Warriors Wednesday night at Golden One Center. After fracturing his left index finger in game four, it was looking rather grim for the Kings. Losing Fox for the remainder of the playoffs was a nightmarish prospect.

What a difference a day makes as we awoke to the news that Fox is 99-100% playing in game five despite the injury. This game is pivotal and nothing is going to stop this guy from taking the court Wednesday night.

His injury is described as severe but Fox himself said that he would be fine. He can still shoot and dribble the ball. Had this occurred during the regular season he would have probably been out 1 to 2 weeks but this is the playoffs and Sacramento needs him for this critical game five.

This news really gave the Kings a confidence boost but there is also a caveat that goes along with this news. The entire team will have to step up and increase production. That is the tradeoff. Players like Malik Monk and Davion Mitchell off the bench will be needed along with Domantas Sabonis.

Keegan Murray will have to continue to up his game as well as Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter. It will be all hands on deck for this one. This will not be an easy task for either Fox or the team but this is a gutsy, determined bunch.

Fox is really putting himself out there and he will need the support and help from all of his teammates. It will be no secret that the Warriors will be gunning for that left hand. I fully expect the entire team will step up in the same manner that Fox himself has stepped up. He is putting it all on the line and the team will have to do the same. This has been a crazy turn of events for the Kings. Why not add just one more thing to the crazy and not only win game five but the series.

Sacramento Kings Fox doubtful for game 5 Wednesday night

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Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) will most likely sit out game 5 with a left hand finger injury he sustained in the fourth quarter in game 4 against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

Kings Dealt Devastating Blow

By Barbara Mason

As if the loss to the Warriors Sunday afternoon was not bad enough, the Kings were dealt a huge blow after the game. It was learned that De’Aaron Fox had apparently suffered a fractured fingertip on his left index finger. He is doubtful for game five in Sacramento.

Fox is considering playing through the pain with some sort of protective covering on his finger. The Kings will just have to wait and see what the team and Fox will determine. Had the Kings won Sunday night’s game they could have held Fox out for two games although an additional week of rest would not change much of anything.

He may have had time to practice shooting with the protective covering but the bottom line is they did not win and they will just have to deal with what fate has placed in their path. Fractured fingers typically take three to four weeks to heal. We will see what the Kings trainers come up with. They have kept these guys for the most part healthy this season and so the team can only hope that they have just the right solution for this injury.

It will be a no-brainer that the Warriors will take full advantage of the injury and do all they can to exacerbate the injury. Unfortunately it’s all about winning and nothing more enters into the equation. Sacramento will have to work hard to get past this one. It is a tall order and from what we have seen in these playoffs, the Kings play hard and with a lot of heart and they will take this in stride and give game five all they’ve got.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Can Warriors win a game on the road?; They find out in Sacramento on Wednesday

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Golden State Warriors guard Draymond Green (23) goes for the throw down against the Sacramento Kings power forward Domantis Sabonis (10) at Chase Center in San Francisco Sun Apr 23, 2023 (@warriors photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, Sunday’s game 4 was a hair raising, sit on the edge of your seat game with the Golden State Warriors just getting by the Sacramento Kings 126-125. The Warriors tied the series 2-2 after being down 2-0.

#2 Once again the Kings had a tough time shutting down Warrior guard Stephen Curry who led all Golden State scorers with 32 and was a key factor in keeping the Warriors close.

#3 Klay Thompson kept the family tradition of the Splash Brothers going finishing behind Curry with 26 points this was crucial game for Golden State the home floor and they depended on both Thompson and Curry to finish strong it was win big or go back to Sacramento down 3-1.

#4 The loss for the Kings was still not without a hard effort from leading scorer De’Aaron Fox who led all scorers with 38 points, the Kings Keegan Murray followed up with 23 points.

#5 Same clubs Wednesday night at Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento a 7:00pm tip off for game 5 as the Warriors make their second trip to Sacramento. The Warriors have won only 11 times on the road this season and dropped the first two games in Sacramento Kings.

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

Sacramento Kings game wrap: Heartbreak For Sacramento Edged Out By Warriors 126-125

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Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray, middle, holds onto the ball between Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, and guard Klay Thompson during the first half of Game 4 at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun Apr 23, 2023 (AP News photo)

Heartbreak For Sacramento Edged Out By Warriors 126-125

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the Sacramento Kings (48-35) were looking to take a 3-1 lead back to Golden One Arena. There was a monumental challenge that they would have to conquer to take that lead back home in the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors (45-38).

The Warriors have peaked at the near perfect time which is great for them but creates a myriad of problems for opposing teams. The Kings had a second crack at Golden State after losing game three at Chase Thursday night 114-97. Sacramento was just plain awful in that game although much of it had to do with the adjustments that the Warriors had made after losing the first two games of this series. The Warriors was in a foot race till the end with the Kings edging them out 126-125 to even the series at 2-2.

The good news for the Kings was the start in this game. It was a very good start and there was more good news with Keegan Murray looking like he had shaken off the nerves (or whatever he was dealing with) scoring a couple of baskets in the early minutes. Mid-way through the first quarter the Kings had a slim lead 18-17. Even though the Warriors took a seven points lead in the first 12 minutes, the Kings went on an 11-3 run leading after the opening quarter 32-31.

The three’s that had been MIA for Sacramento in the first three games made an appearance in this fourth game going seven of 13. After the first three minutes of the second quarter threes were dropping and Keegan Murray was having a much improved game which was great news for Sacramento. The Kings did have a nine point lead that dissolved mid-way through the quarter and with 6:37 left in the half this game was tied 45-45.

The Kings 8-0 run was erased with a Warrior 9-0 run. With under five minutes left in the half the Kings regained the lead 54-49 when Murray hit a three. Murray had finally arrived. Sacramento again took a nine point lead with under three minutes left in the half.

It was a crazy first 24 minutes of play. At the half the Kings led 69-65. It was a far cry from the game they lost Thursday night. Murray was three of four from downtown and De’Aaron Fox finished the first half with 21 points. Sacramento had shot over 50% from the floor and 45% from beyond the arc in the first half. Another bonus for the Kings; only three turnovers in the half.

After three quarters the Warriors had built a ten point lead 102-92 and the Kings had a lot of work to do.

The fourth quarter was a spectacular finish that did not go in favor of the Kings. With 10.1 left in the game, Sacramento trailed by a single point and with possession had the chance to win this game and go home 3-1. Harrison Barnes took the last shot, a three point attempt and came up short. It was a heartbreaker for Sacramento as they head back home to Golden One.

The resurrection of Murray finally came to light as we knew it would. He had 23 points and was five of seven from downtown. He will invaluable to the Kings going forward. Fox had the high for both teams with 38 points. Malik Monk had the high off the bench with 16 points. The Kings also finished with 14 shots from downtown.

Now the work for the Sacramento Kings begins as they head home to Golden One to play game five at Golden 1 Center. Now this becomes a must win for Sacramento after having led 2-0 in this series. Game five will be played Wednesday night with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Golden State Warriors game wrap: Warriors win thriller 126-125; Even playoff series with Kings 2-2; Series moves to Sacramento Wednesday

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Golden State Warrior guard Stephen Curry (30) gets congratulations from daughter Riley at the completion of game four of the NBA Playoffs against the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun Apr 23, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors beat the young and talented Sacramento Kings 126-125 Sunday afternoon at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The game had everything a fan could want. The Warriors needed the win to even the series. The Warriors knew that a loss would have Sacramento in the driver’s seat with three games to one advantage, and the next game would be on their Kings’ homecourt in Sacramento.

The fans of both teams knew that each team could put points on the board in a hurry. The Kings and The Warriors were the top two scoring teams in the NBA. The defending NBA champs, the Warriors, had to find a way to defend the upstart Kings.

The Warriors found a way last Thursday when they held the Kings under 100 points. The Warriors did that without their best defensive players, Draymond Green and Gary Payton II. Green was suspended for one game, and Payton was too ill to play. The Kings had to find a way to slow down the Warriors offense. The Kings had an advantage as their head coach Mike Brown had been an assistant head coach with the Warriors for the past six years and was familiar with the Warriors offense.

All that was left to do was play 48 minutes of basketball. The teams performed at a very high level. The first half featured two high-octane offenses going at each other. The Kings’ De’Aaron Fox, coming into his own this season, paced the offense in the first half with 21 points.

Rooke Keegan Murray helped out the Kings’ attack with 15 points. Both Murray and Fox made three threes in the first half. The Kings won the first quarter 31-29. The Warriors fought back in the second period. With the score tied at 49, the Kings went on a 7-0 run to lead 56-49.

Sacramento increased the lead to nine, 60-51. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson helped the Warriors close the gap to one, 66-65. Murray made a three, and the Kings finished the first half leading 69-65. Both teams went to the locker room, feeling they could win. The fans needed the break to relax from all the intensity they felt from the players on the floor.

The Warriors emerged from the halftime break with one objective. Shut down the Kings’ offense and outscore them in the third quarter. Over the many years they have been in the playoffs, the Warriors have owned the third quarter. The Warriors knew if they would demoralize the Kings.

Sacramento had not been in the playoffs for 16 years. The Kings’ players were experiencing playoff basketball for the first time in their careers. How would they handle the pressure? The intensity is ramped up in these games. The Warriors fell behind by seven early in the third quarter when former Warriors forward Harrison Barnes connected on a three.

The Warriors then outscored the Kings 37-20 to finish the third quarter leading by ten, 102-92. Curry and Jordan Poole led the Warriors in the period. The Warriors defense, led by Green and Andrew Wiggins, put the clamps on Fox for those 12 minutes. 

The fans were standing at the start of the game’s fourth quarter. The fans also knew a ten-point lead could be overcome. Fox, the NBA’s Jerry West Clutch Performer of the Year, was ready to attack. The Warriors assigned Green to defend him, and the quarter started with Sacramento going on a 7-0 run to close within three points of the lead, 102-99.

Sacramento kept the pressure on and took the lead 107-106 on a Malik Monk bucket. That was the last time that Sacramento would lead. 

Curry made the next two baskets for the Warriors to make it a 110-107 game. The Kings came back to within a point, 118-117. The Warriors pulled away to lead by five, 126-121. With 43 seconds left to play and Curry with the ball, Curry called a timeout.

There was only one problem. The Warriors were out of timeouts. The referees awarded the Kings a technical foul and possession of the ball. Sacramento made the technical free throw, and Fox connected on a three to close the gap to one, 126-125. With ten seconds left, the Kings had control of the ball. They had to make a bucket or go to the free-throw line to win the game. The Warriors’ defense held, and the Warriors evened the series at two apiece with a thrilling one point win.

Game Notes: The Warriors had five players in double figures. Curry led the parade with 32 points. Thompson had 26, Poole 22, Andrew Wiggins 18, and Green with 12. Green had ten rebounds to complete a double-double. Kevon Looney tallied eight points and pulled down 14 boards. The Warriors, on defense, had 51 rebounds, eight steals, and six blocked shots. 

The Kings had four players in double figures. Fox led the Kings with 38 points. Murray had 23, and he made five threes. Monk had 16, Davion Mitchell 12, and Domantas Sabonis finished with 14. Sabonis had seven rebounds and eight assists. 

The teams are off until Wednesday night, when they play game five of the series will be played at the Golden 1 Arena in Sacramento. The game will start at 7 pm.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Will Kings need to come out and play desperate to stay ahead of Golden State?

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Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, foreground, shoots against Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins, left, and forward Kevon Looney during the second period at Chase Center in San Francisco on Fri Apr 21, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The key to a Warrior win was this-the team needed to stop fouling, find a way to play better defense, stop making turnovers, and have their offensive weapons carry the day. All those happened as the Warriors led wire to wire to defeat the Sacramento Kings 114-97.

#2 The Kings arrived in San Francisco brimming with confidence. They had beaten the defending NBA Champions twice. Their offensive stars, Domantas Sabonos, DeAron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, and Malik Monk, all played well in the first two games. 

#3  Here’s how things went in the third period. Andrew Wiggins, Stephen Curry, and Moody helped the Warriors put 31 points on the board in the quarter. The Kings, behind Fox and Sabonis, also helped Sacramento tally 31 points. 

#4  The Warriors offense came to life as Golden State led by 18, 95-77, with a little over nine minutes left to play. Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, and Curry led the charge.

#5 It was a great game for the Warriors. They need to win on Sunday to even the series at two apiece. If they can achieve that goal, the Warriors will have to find a way to win on the road, as Sacramento will have the home-court advantage in two of the last three games in the series. 

Join Jeremiah for the Kings podcast Friday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors game wrap: Warriors climb back into first round series defeat Kings 114-97 cut Sac’s lead 2-1

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Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) is congratulated by guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) after scoring against the Sacramento Kings during the first half at Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Apr 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Warriors, down two games to none, returned home to face the Sacramento Kings Thursday night at the Chase Center. The Warriors had to get a win to stay alive in the first round of the NBA playoffs. They had to get the win without their two best defensive players.

The NBA suspended Draymond Green for one game for his aggressive behavior in game two of the series. Green stomped on Domantas Sabonis’ sternum after Sabonis held on to Draymond Green’s ankle. Defensive whiz Gary Payton II was unavailable due to an injury.

The key to a Warrior win was this-the team needed to stop fouling, find a way to play better defense, stop making turnovers, and have their offensive weapons carry the day. All those happened as the Warriors led wire to wire to defeat the Sacramento Kings 114-97.

The Kings arrived in San Francisco brimming with confidence. They had beaten the defending NBA Champions twice. Their offensive stars, Sabonos, DeAron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, and Malik Monk, all played well in the first two games. Were the Warriors capable of stopping the high-scoring Kings’ offense? The Warriors answered with a very loud yes. 

The Warriors played well in the first quarter. They won the quarter 29-20. Andrew Wiggins and Stephen Curry led the offense in the second quarter. The Warriors finished the first half leading by 12 points, 53-41. The first half featured defense by both teams. The Warriors shot 34% from the floor, while the Kings shot 32.7%. The Warriors committed six turnovers to the Kings’ ten. The Warriors scored 13 points off those turnovers, the Kings three. 

The Warriors needed to find a way to stop Fox and Sabonis in the third quarter. Fox had been a force in the second halves of games all season, especially in the fourth quarter. Here’s how things went in the third period. Wiggins, Curry, and Moody helped the Warriors put 31 points on the board in the quarter. The Kings, behind Fox and Sabonis, also helped Sacramento tally 31 points. The quarter ended with the Warriors leading by 12, 84-72.

The players and fans know that a 12-point lead can be overcome in the last 12 minutes of the game. The Warriors had shown the Kings they could play defense without Green and Payton. Donte DiVincenzo had been a force on defense throughout the game.

Kevon Looney blocked shots and was in the right place to pick up rebounds. They needed 12 more intense minutes on both ends of the court to get the win. The Warriors offense came to life as Golden State led by 18, 95-77, with a little over nine minutes left to play. Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, and Curry led the charge. The Kings tried to fight back, but the Warriors defense did not relent. The Warriors increased the lead to 23, 114-91, with 2:31 left.

Game Notes: The Warriors are back for Game Four of the series to be played Sunday at the Chase Center at 11:30 am.

The Warriors had so many stars shining Thursday night. Curry led the team with 36 points. Wiggins had 20, Poole 16, Klay Thompson 13, and Moody 13. DiVincenzo had six points. However, DiVincezo was all over the court Thursday night.

DiVincezo pulled down eight rebounds and had eight assists. Looney scored two big buckets in the game, but he was a force on defense as he pulled down 20 rebounds and helped on offense with nine assists. The Warriors, as a team, pulled down 69 rebounds. They also had 18 offensive rebounds. The Warriors blocked five shots and had 12 steals.

The Warrior defense clogged the middle and held Sabonis to 15 points. The Kings’ big center pulled down 16 rebounds. Fox led the Kings with 26 points, ten rebounds, and nine assists. Fox made three threes in nine tries.

The Warriors committed 11 turnovers in the game. The Kings scored seven points off those miscues. The Warriors defense forced the Kings to turn the ball over 15 times. The Warriors put 22 points on the board as a result.

It was a great game for the Warriors. They need to win on Sunday to even the series at two apiece. If they can achieve that goal, the Warriors will have to find a way to win on the road, as Sacramento will have the home-court advantage in two of the last three games in the series. 

Sacramento Kings game wrap: Warriors manhandle Kings 114-97; Golden State now trails Sacramento by one game

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Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) shoots against Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40) and guard Davion Mitchell (15) during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Playoffs at Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Apr 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

Warriors Manhandle Kings 114-97

By Barbara Mason

Thursday night the Sacramento Kings (48-35) traveled to San Francisco to take on the Warriors (45-38) and get a taste of the raucous crowd that is primed and ready to will their team to their first win in these playoffs and win they did with a 114-97 game 2 victory. The Warriors trail by one game 2-1 after game 3.

From the opening tipoff it became evident that, despite the absence of Draymond Green, Golden State was ready for this game. The Warriors took a 29-20 lead in the opening quarter. They completely outplayed the Kings in the first twelve minutes.

The Kings could not buy a three and they struggled with offensive rebounds. What further exacerbated the situation was that the Warriors were hitting three’s. Once again Keegan Murray was silent and the Kings were having an awful offensive night.

The Kings were outscored in the second quarter 24-21 and trailed 53-41 at the half. Sacramento had more turnovers than the Warriors and they were also having a poor defensive game. It was an all-around poor first half for Sacramento at every turn, offensively and defensively.

The Warriors continued to hold a healthy lead after three quarters 84-72. They had not trailed once in this game.

The Kings had one quarter left to fight back in this game. They had been outplayed at every turn. They were 6 of 30 for 21% from downtown. Both teams were shooting at 37% field goals. The Warriors had twice as many three’s and that spelled the difference in this game amid a host of other issues.

The brilliance that we have seen all season in the fourth quarter from De’Aaron Fox just didn’t materialize. The Warriors outplayed the Kings offensively and defensively. Golden State owned the glass; they finished with 16 threes to the Kings 11 of 47. The final was 114-97.

De’Aaron Fox finished with 26 points the high for the team. Every starter with the exception of Keegan Murray had double digits. The Kings bench was a disappointment. Going into this game Sacramento knew how tough it was going to be at Chase. Chase lived up to it’s reputation and the Kings fell flat unable to handle the Warriors.

Stephen Curry had the high for the Warriors with 36 points. Kevon Looney had 20 rebounds.

Sunday afternoon the Kings will get another shot to win their third game of the playoffs. They have a huge task in front of them. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:30 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Without Green Kings can take advantage in game 3

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Golden State Warriors guard Draymond Green states his case after getting ejected at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Apr 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 How will Draymond Green’s suspension impact Golden State going into game 3.

#2 Critics have said that Draymond has had the last straw for awhile now going back to his bench argument with Kevin Durant in 2016 and said Green should have been let go then. After everything that has gone down with Draymond should the Warriors have let Draymond go long ago.

#3 Warriors down two games to none no Draymond, Kings are finding different ways to beat Golden State. Former Warriors head coach and current Kings head coach Mike Brown has the playbook of the Warriors in his head and it’s showing.

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

Warriors Green suspended for game 3 by NBA for stomping on Kings Sabonis

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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green reacts after he was ejected from Game 2 in the first round of the NBA basketball playoffs after stomping on the chest of Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis, at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Apr 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

After losing two straight playoff games to the Sacramento Kings and having a dismal season on the road the Golden State Warriors problems in the post season are surmounting as the NBA suspended guard Draymond Green for stomping on the chest of the Kings Domantas Sabonis with 7:03 remaining in the fourth quarter. Green will be suspended for game three for one game.

During the fourth quarter on Monday night in game 2 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento Green stomped on Sabonis’ chest at which time the Warriors were trailing the Kings by four points when the infraction took place. Sabonis had held Green’s foot to the floor and it frustrated Green and Green reacted by stomping on Sabonis.

It didn’t help Green much when he jumped on the Warriors bench and started yelling and trying to pump up the Kings crowd in the section behind the Warriors bench. Green was accessed a flagrant 2 foul. Green’s behavior and his foul on Sabonis puts him out of game 3 at Chase Center in San Francisco for Thursday night and it no doubt hurts the Warriors chances to win this first round without their star guard who has a problem keeping his cool.

Jerry Feitelberg is a Golden State Warriors beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com