Preview: Kings, Warriors set for potential First-Round preview at G1C

Apr 7, 2023, 7:24 AM | Updated: 9:31 am

Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson attempts to block De'Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings in ...

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

When the NBA Playoffs begin on April 15th, the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors may meet for the first time in postseason history.

Friday night’s game between the two Northern California rivals could be a preview of what is to come as the third-seed Kings (48-32) will host a Warriors (42-38) team that is looking to avoid the Western Conference Play-In.

Golden State has won six of its past eight games while climbing into the sixth and final playoff spot in the standings, but the Warriors will need to take care of business during its last two games of the season while they attempt to hold off the lurking Los Angels Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans.

The margin for error is slim, and a loss to Sacramento could push the Warriors into the seventh seed, something that most teams would like to avoid due to the uncertainty of a single-or-double elimination tournament.

During three previous matchups this season, the Kings have battled Golden State over a hard-fought three-game stretch that has seen the Warriors outscore Sacramento by one point.

A lot is on the line for Golden State, who will be treating Friday’s game like a playoff game as they look to lock in a top-six spot–one that could create a Kings vs. Warriors first-round matchup that would tip off just over a week down the road.

While the Warriors will be sending its A-rotation out in Sacramento, the Kings will monitor the first half of the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Milwaukee Bucks game before deciding on the status of several players.

If the Grizzlies–who can clinch the second seed in the Western Conference with a win on Friday–are running away with the game prior to tonight’s 7:00 PM PST tip, the Kings will likely hold out its starters and key bench players.

Triple-Doubles during Sacramento Kings careers:

Domantas Sabonis | 14 triple-doubles | 93 games

Chris Webber | 14 triple-doubles | 377 games

I'm sorry, but WHAT!? Just an insane season from Domantas Sabonis. pic.twitter.com/fmTVNKfXVF

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) April 6, 2023

So You Say You Like Offense?

If you enjoy watching elite NBA offense, Kings vs. Warriors is the game for you.

Friday night’s matchup between the two Pacific Division foes will feature the NBA’s two top-scoring teams in the league, with Sacramento (121.3 points per game) and Golden State (118.5 points per game) going head-to-head for the fourth time this season.

The defending champion Warriors have gotten the best of the Kings this season, but not by much. Over three previous matchups, Golden State has outscored Sacramento 361-360.

These two teams have battled on both ends of the floor this season, while the home team has won each game thus far.

Three-point shooting will be a huge factor in Friday’s showdown, as the Warriors–the NBA leader in made three-point field goals and third in three-point field goal percentage (38%)–will undoubtedly let it fly against a Sacramento defense that has allowed opponents to shoot 37.3 percent (26th in the NBA) from deep this season.

While Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole have all converted 200+ three-pointers this year, the Kings have the three-point firepower to matchup Golden State’s attack from the perimeter thanks to rookie Keegan Murray and sharp-shooting guard Kevin Huerter.

Murray and Huerter are the first set of Kings teammates to both make 200+ three-point field goals in a single season, and the duo are one of three combinations of NBA teammates to do so in 2022-23:

Klay Thompson (290), Steph Curry (265), and Jordan Poole (210) – Golden State
Damian Lillard (244) and Anfernee Simons (212) – Portland
Keegan Murray (203) and Kevin Huerter (203) – Sacramento

The Kings, who are also a top-ten team when it comes to knocking down the long-ball (ninth in 3PT%), have struggled to get going from beyond the arc during three matchups against the Warriors this season (34%).

After shooting 30 percent from three during two losses against Golden State to begin the season, Sacramento caught fire during its 122-115 win over the Warriors on November 13th. Murray (five-of nine) and Huerter (four-of-six) helped lead the Kings to a win at Golden 1 Center.

Golden State, who shot 40 percent from three during its two wins over Sacramento this season, holds a 25-10 record when shooting 40 percent or higher from three-point range. If the Kings can hold the Warriors at bay from three, they will have a solid chance at winning this game.

Don’t Worry About The Paint

Golden State’s offense is dynamic and deadly, but it hasn’t earned that reputation by doing damage in the paint.

The Warriors average 44.7 points per game in the paint this season, which comes in at 28th in the NBA.

This is a welcome site for a Kings’ defense that has yielded 53.5 points per game in the paint this season, which is the fourth-worst mark in the league. Sacramento’s defense should focus on the perimeter, as we recently just touched on Golden State’s deadly shooting from three-point land.

As for the offensive end, Domantas Sabonis shouldn’t have a problem when it comes to patrolling the glass, as the big man has averaged 21.3 points, 16.7 rebounds, and six assists per game while shooting 52 percent from the field.

Golden State bigs Kevon Looney and Draymond Green will challenge Sabonis for loose boards, but the All-Star center has the upper hand against an undersized Warriors team.

In the most-recent matchup with the Warriors on November 13th, Sabonis posted a monster stat-line of 26 points, 22 rebounds, and eight assists while shooting 10-of-17 from the field.

If the Kings run into trouble on the perimeter, they can mix things up by dumping it down to the big man in the post, who will look to work his way to the basket or find a teammate for an open look.

Head-to-Head History

October 23rd | Chase Center | Warriors 130, Kings 125

November 7th | Chase Center | Warriors 116, Kings 113

November 13th | Golden 1 Center | Kings 122, Warriors 115

Sacramento has lost seven of its past nine games to Golden State since the start of the 2020-21 season.

Injury Report

Sacramento

De’Aaron Fox – QUESTIONABLE (left ankle soreness)
Kevin Huerter – QUESTIONABLE (right popliteus injury management)
Trey Lyles – QUESTIONABLE (right shoulder soreness)
Davion Mitchell – QUESTIONABLE (left knee soreness)
Malik Monk – QUESTIONABLE (left lower leg soreness)
Keegan Murray – QUESTIONABLE (right foot soreness)
Domantas Sabonis – QUESTIONABLE (left ankle soreness)
Matthew Dellavedova – OUT (fractured index finger)

Golden State

Andrew Wiggins – OUT (return to competition conditioning)
Andre Iguodala – OUT (left wrist surgery)
Ryan Rollins – OUT (right foot surgery)

Be sure to get all of your Kings vs. Warriors coverage right here on Sactown Sports 1140 beginning at 5:30 PM PST on Game Night with Scott Marsh and Henry ‘The High Flyer’ Turner before a 7:00 PM PST tip-off from downtown Sacramento.