Splash Brothers help Warriors sink Kings in Game 5 to take 3-2 series lead
Apr 26, 2023, 9:44 PM | Updated: Apr 27, 2023, 7:43 am
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
If the Sacramento Kings want to play basketball past the first round, they will need to beat the Golden State Warriors two-straight times this weekend.
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson combined to score 56 points as the Kings struggled to create offense outside of De’Aaron Fox during a 123-116 loss in Game 5 of the NBA Playoffs.
Fox, who was playing with a fractured left index finger, scored 24 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and passed out nine assists, but the rest of Sacramento’s offense fell flat–especially from beyond the three-point arc.
It was an anti-climatic ending to another nail-biter of a game as the Kings got sloppy down the stretch, turning the ball over and forcing looks while the Golden State defense capitalized on the mistakes.
“We have to regroup tomorrow, get ready to go down to San Francisco, and get a win,” head coach Mike Brown said following the loss. “Our guys will be ready for Game 6.”
Klay from DEEP 🎯 pic.twitter.com/0NGn6Z2kg1
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 27, 2023
It seemed as if Sacramento’s three-point shooting woes had finally been resolved during the first quarter as the Kings knocked down eight of their 12 attempts (67%) during the period.
Unfortunately for the Kings, that would be their best offensive quarter of the game.
Sacramento went two-for-22 (9%) from three-point range during the final three quarters as players like Kevin Huerter (1/4), Davion Mitchell (2/8), Malik Monk (1/5), and Fox (3/10) all struggled to find a rhythm from beyond the arc.
Fox knocked down all three of his attempts from deep during the first quarter, while Keegan Murray went two-for-two from three while scoring 10 points during the opening quarter.
Murray wouldn’t take another three-point attempt for the rest of the game, while Fox failed to convert a triple during the final three periods.
The Kings got plenty of production from Fox early as the guard scored 24 points during the first three quarters. Golden State shut the Clutch Player of the Year down during the fourth, holding Fox scoreless en route to securing the win.
“I was fine,” Fox said of how he felt while playing through a broken left index finger. “Second half, I have to play better, personally.”
DE’AARON FOX TOUGH AND-1 😤 pic.twitter.com/BuZVLiFaov
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 27, 2023
Sacramento is now staring elimination in the face as they will have to beat the defending champions two-straight times this weekend to extend what has been a memorable season.
“We know that our backs are against the wall,” Fox said. “You know that it’s a tough place to go in and win. You go out there and you try to win a game. One loss, and your season is over, but we’re thinking about it one game at a time.”
The Warriors benefitted from big nights from Stephen Curry (31 points) and Klay Thompson (25 points) while their offense shot 67 percent on two-point field goal attempts. Even though Golden State shot just 11-of-38 (29%) from three-point range, the Warriors were able to score 60 points in the paint.
Draymond Green navigated the boos from the Golden 1 Center crowd with ease while scoring 21 points on eight-of-10 shooting from the field. Kevon Looney continued to torture the Kings on the glass as the big man secured 22 rebounds–his second game of the series with 20 or more boards.
Golden State has been in late-game situations like Wednesday countless times. Sunday’s 126-125 win over Sacramento and the Game 5 closing effort further prove that the Warriors’ experience is invaluable during the NBA Playoffs.
Now, it’s time to see if this Kings team has the grit to go into Chase Center on Friday and extend their season against a team that held the league’s third-best home record (33-8) this season.
“It’s win or go home,” Mitchell said following the loss. “It’s a really good team. We have to punch them in the mouth first.”
Never Tell Me The Odds
According to Basketball Reference, teams that go up 3-2 in an NBA Playoff series have gone on to win the series 188 times out of 222 opportunities (84.6%).
 Next Game
The Kings will be traveling to San Francisco for an interesting 5:00 PM PST start time for Game 6 on Friday afternoon.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings Schedule
NBA Western Conference Playoffs – First Round
- Friday, April 28th – Game 6: Sacramento Kings @ Golden State Warriors – 5:00 PM PST
- Sunday, April 30th – Game 7**: Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors – TBD
**If necessary
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