An ugly game.
On Saturday, the Golden State Warriors beat the Memphis Grizzlies — despite Steph Curry not playing — which gave them their first winning streak since November 22. On Sunday, the Dubs got Curry back and got to host a Sacramento Kings squad that was playing without De’Aaron Fox. It was a chance for their first three-game winning streak since November 15, and just their third of the season.
They blew it, and were blown out.
The Warriors never led in a wholly uncompetitive affair against a Kings team that, after losing their first game following the firing of head coach Mike Brown (and dropping to 13-19), has now rattled off four consecutive victories.
It was over almost as soon as it began. The Kings jumped out to a 7-0 lead, and the Warriors never really recovered. Curry didn’t score until the 7:34 mark in the quarter, and Sacramento at one point pushed the lead all the way to 18 points as the Dubs played remarkably reckless basketball, amassing a terrible eight turnovers in the quarter … each seemingly more head-scratching than the one before. At the end of the quarter, the Warriors trailed 36-21.
They came out firing to start the second quarter, though. The offense found life as the team rattled off a run, cutting the deficit to just four points about three minutes in. But the Kings were unfazed, and punched the Warriors back in the mouth, responding with an 11-0 run. It was still a good offensive quarter for Golden State, but their defensive effort couldn’t match the offensive output, as they were outscored 39-30 in the frame, giving Sacramento a lopsided 75-51 advantage at the half.
Any hope of the third quarter Warriors, with all their runs showing up were quickly dispelled. They still couldn’t stop Sacramento, and never really put too much of a run together. There was a brief moment of life about halfway through the quarter, but Golden State never really threatened the big lead that Sacramento had built up.
By the time the fourth quarter began, Steve Kerr had already waved the white flag. Gui Santos and Pat Spencer, who hadn’t yet played in the game, were on the court to begin the final frame. Together with the seldomly-used trio of Moses Moody, Kevon Looney, and Lindy Waters III, they played the entire fourth quarter. It was perhaps the best the Warriors played, but it certainly wasn’t enough for anyone to harbor any dreams of the game becoming competitive, and Sacramento coasted to a 129-99 victory.
Curry led the way for the Warriors with 26 points and seven rebounds, while shooting an excellent 8-for-12 from the field and 4-for-8 from three-point range, though he committed four turnovers without any assists. Andrew Wiggins had 18 points, while Moody, finally getting some solid run, scored 13.
But the turnovers did the Warriors in, as they committed 22 turnovers, which the Kings turned into 34 points. Well, turnovers and brilliant play from Malik Monk (26 points and 12 assists) and Domantas Sabonis (22 points and 13 rebounds).
The Dubs, who are 18-17, now get one day off before finishing their six-game home stand on Tuesday night against a Miami Heat team that is in a bit of disarray. Golden State will need to win that game in order to having a winning home stand, before embarking on a four-game road trip.