by Stephen Curry scored 36 points, Kevon Looney matched his career-high with 20 rebounds and nine assists, and the Golden State Warriors returned to their first-round playoff series by defeating the Sacramento Kings 114-97 in Game 3 on Thursday. at night. to shoot within 2-1.
As suspended star Draymond Green watched from home, the defending champions dominated without him as they have so many times before. The fiery forward was suspended without pay for stepping on the chest of Domantas Sabonis in the fourth quarter of Game 2 Monday at the Golden 1 Center. The Warriors were also without key defensive stopper Gary Payton II after the guard fell ill on Wednesday.
Curry shot 12 of 25 with six 3-pointers, while Andrew Wiggins added 20 points and seven rebounds for the Warriors, who have never trailed and will now try to even the best-of-seven series in Game 4 on Sunday at their home court at the Chase. Center. .
Sabonis, who grabbed Green’s foot during the play in question, was booed at every opportunity. The big man underwent tests that revealed a bruised sternum, but he was able to practice Wednesday and was cleared to play. He had 14 rebounds at halftime and 16 total to go with 15 points. But Golden State’s stifling interior defense led to some spectacular plays on offense.
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Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a basket late in the first half against the Sacramento Kings during Game 3 of the Western Conference first round playoffs at the Chase Center on April 20, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
De’Aaron Fox was 5-for-14 in the first half for 12 points, but finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Kings. Fox scored 62 in the first two games.
Jordan Poole, playing with a sprained left ankle, started in Green’s place and had 16 points and five rebounds, while the Warriors also had contributions from Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Donte DiVincenzo.
Looney, who led the NBA in offensive rebounding and played his 218th straight game, corralled a key backboard off the offensive glass that led to Curry’s 3-pointer to beat the halftime buzzer and put the Warriors to a double-digit lead in 53-41.
Harrison Barnes added 17 points against his former Sacramento team, whose fans were told to leave those loud cowbells at home because they’re banned from Chase Center. Warriors fans were outrageous in their own right sporting “Gold Blooded” yellow jerseys and beating up Thunderstix.
Before Game 3, Golden State coach Steve Kerr shared with the team his favorite John Wooden quote of all time: “Be quick, but don’t rush.” That’s a mantra he challenged the Warriors to use to make better shots and be more careful on the ball to limit turnovers.
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts in front of De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings after Donte DiVincenzo #0 of the Golden State Warriors made a shot late in the first quarter in Game Three of the Western Conference First round playoffs at the Chase Center on April 20, 2023 in San Francisco, California. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images))
JAMES HARDEN OF 76ERS SENT OFF FOR BELOW BELT PUNCH AGAINST NETS
HE sensed that the Warriors were in a hurry and made unforced turnovers, rushed to make a play.
They seemed like before in this one.
NBA Coach of the Year Mike Brown, who received a shipment of new Vans shoes, warned of what could happen if his team failed even the slightest: “If we’re too confident, they’re going to turn their backs on us because these guys are champions.”
Curry and Co. made sure of that.
TIPS
Kings: The Kings were outrebounded 60-53. … Sacramento shot 11 of 46 on 3-pointers… The Kings got to the free-throw line just eight times in the opening two quarters and 23 for the game.
Moses Moody #4 and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate during the game against the Sacramento Kings during Round One of Game Three of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2023 at the Chase Center in San Francisco , california. (Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Warriors: Wiggins had a memorable sequence in the second quarter with a block and then a 3-pointer moments later. … Moody had a three-point play and a dunk in a blistering 38-second stretch late in the third, putting Golden State up 76-63 and finishing with 13 points. … In a quiet outing, Klay Thompson scored 13 points on 5-of-15 shooting, but hit two well-timed shots down the stretch.
