The Warriors Secure a Last-Minute Win Over the Kings After Trading Leads

In a closely contested game where the lead changed hands 12 times, the Golden State Warriors faced the Sacramento Kings without star guard De’Aaron Fox. This matchup was seen as a potential “trap game,” as the Warriors were coming off trips to New Orleans and Oklahoma City and had more games away from their home court. Despite these challenges and an off night for Stephen Curry, the Warriors managed to claim a hard-fought victory, edging out the Kings 102-101, their first win in front of their home fans this season.

Stephen Curry, who struggled early in the game, finished with a team-high 21 points. In the final minute of play, he made a remarkable behind-the-back crossover move and converted a go-ahead layup, putting the Warriors in the lead. However, it was Klay Thompson’s heroics that sealed the win, as he sank a jumper from the foul line with just two-tenths of a second left on the clock, securing the decisive victory.

The game marked the 13th meeting between these two Northern California teams since the beginning of the last season, and it was a closely contested affair with frequent lead changes. Despite Curry’s below-average performance in terms of scoring and turnovers, the Warriors kept the game competitive, never falling behind by more than 11 points. The supporting cast stepped up, with six players scoring in double digits, including Dario Saric, who had a standout game with 15 points, making crucial three-pointers.

Andrew Wiggins contributed 14 points, with 12 of them coming in the first half. Jonathan Kuminga, who had been a game-time decision due to a knee contusion, added 12 points, including a pivotal 6-point swing during the second quarter. Draymond Green provided 13 points and nine assists, while Klay Thompson contributed 14 points with his game-winning shot.

Although Curry attempted only 15 field goals, he made seven of them. However, he also recorded seven turnovers, the highest on the team for the season.

The Warriors and Kings have a history of competitive matchups, and they have two more meetings scheduled for this season. Despite their recent success, Curry described the relationship between the teams as more of “familiarity” than a rivalry.

The third quarter, where the Warriors had previously excelled, saw a reversal of fortunes. The Kings outscored the Warriors by 13 points, with Sacramento building a significant lead. However, the Warriors responded with a 13-3 run, fueled by Dario Saric’s three-pointers, which energized the home crowd and evened the score.

The game provided an exciting and closely fought contest between two familiar Northern California teams, adding another chapter to their ongoing rivalry.