Preview: Kings seek Group C clinch vs. Draymond, Warriors
Nov 28, 2023, 9:20 AM | Updated: 11:43 am
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Of course, it comes down to one game.
When the NBA released the schedule for the 2023-24 season, it was hard to miss the glaring final game on the Sacramento Kings’ In-Season Tournament lineup:
A matchup against the Golden State Warriors at Golden 1 Center in front of a national audience on TNT.
Entering play on Tuesday night, the Kings (9-6) need a win over Golden State (8-9) to clinch Group C in the In-Season Tournament standings and advance to the Knockout Stage. The Warriors need a victory to create a tie-breaker scenario with the Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves.
If there wasn’t enough drama surrounding this Kings vs. Warriors matchup, Golden State forward Draymond Green will return from a five-game suspension in time to face Sacramento (and a sold-out Golden 1 Center).
For the 13th time since April, the Kings will face its Northern California rival in an NBA Playoff rematch–except this time, there is more at stake than regular season bragging rights.
A win sends Sacramento to the next round of the NBA In-Season Tournament. A Golden State triumph makes things interesting in the standings.
The next chapter of Kings vs. Warriors should be a good one.
The next chapter in Kings vs. Warriors tips off tomorrow night ⏰ pic.twitter.com/o88fJ04vTS
— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) November 28, 2023
Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors Game Info
NBA In-Season Tournament Group Play – Group C
When: 7:00 PM PST
Where: Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, CA
TV: TNT, NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Coverage starts at 5:30 PM on Game Night
Line: Kings -1.5, O/U 238.5
Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Warriors coverage, beginning at 5:30 PM PST on Game Night before a 7:00 PM PST tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
Tickets: Click here
Get Over The Hump
Since Sacramento took a 2-0 lead in April’s NBA Playoff series, it’s been all Golden State in this head-to-head matchup.
Including the postseason, preseason, and start of this regular season, the Warriors have won eight of the past nine matchups against the Kings, including five in a row.
There has been a lot of talk–and plenty of debate–regarding whether or not Kings-Warriors is a rivalry. In order for this to become a true rivalry, Sacramento needs to get some hits in as well.
Golden State has delivered gut-punch after gut-punch since the NBA Playoffs, including Stephen Curry’s 50-point explosion in Game 7, his 41-point follow-up on October 27th, and Klay Thompson’s heart-breaking game-winner on November 1st.
Sure, it’s an NBA In-Season Tournament berth and not an NBA postseason series, but there is something on the line here for Sacramento–and that shouldn’t be taken lightly, not against Golden State.
The Kings can puff their chest out and take a step forward in this one-sided affair by eliminating the Warriors and advancing on Tuesday. It’s all about progress, and Sacramento will need to prove they can go toe-to-toe with Curry and the Warriors.
At some point, Sacramento will need to overcome its ‘big brother’ in their own neighborhood of Northern California, and they have a golden opportunity to ignite a change in direction with a win on Tuesday night.
Sabonis vs. Looney
De’Aaron Fox vs. Stephen Curry is the marquee matchup, but another battle to keep an eye on will take place in the paint.
Domantas Sabonis will look to continue his strong start to the season against Kevon Looney and the Warriors, as the All-NBA center continues to work against the narratives that were formed during the Kings’ playoff loss to Golden State.
Looney, who dominated Sacramento on the glass during the NBA Playoffs (15.1 rebounds per game), has struggled to contain Sabonis in two regular season meetings thus far.
Sabonis vs. Golden State this season (two games): 21.0 PTS, 14.5 REB, 7.5 AST, 1.5 STL, 48% FG
The Warriors enter play on Tuesday ranked as the NBA’s fifth-best rebounding team, while the Kings (21st) have struggled to make an impact on the boards (outside of Sabonis, of course).
Sabonis has looked strong against Looney in two matchups thus far. Let’s see if the center can turn in a big performance in an important game for Sacramento’s In-Season Tournament hopes.
NBA In-Season Tournament Standings & Clinch Scenarios
For the Kings, it’s simple: Clinch Group C and advance to the knockout round with a win over the Warriors.
If Sacramento loses to Golden State, it will all come down to the point differential between the Kings, Warriors, and Minnesota Timberwolves, who will need to defeat Oklahoma City to stay alive.
The Kings will have a clearer picture of what they need to do to advance following the Wolves vs. Thunder game (tips off at 5:00 PM PST), but the most straightforward path would be to simply win their game against Golden State.
For more information on clinch scenarios, click here.
Kings vs. Warriors Injury Report
Sacramento
- Keon Ellis – QUESTIONABLE (left ankle sprain)
- Keegan Murray – OUT (left SI joint irritation)
- Alex Len – OUT (high right ankle sprain)
Golden State
- No players listed
Upcoming Schedule
- Tuesday, November 28th – Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors** – 7:00 PM PST
- Wednesday, November 29th – Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers – 7:00 PM PST
- Saturday, December 2nd – Sacramento Kings vs. Denver Nuggets – 7:00 PM PST
- December 3rd-10th: NBA In-Season Tournament Week (Schedule TBD)
- Monday, December 11th – Sacramento Kings vs. Brooklyn Nets – 7:00 PM PST
- Tuesday, December 12th – Sacramento Kings @ Los Angeles Clippers – 7:30 PM PST
** NBA In-Season Tournament Group Play
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