Stephen Curry expects Game 7 environment for Kings vs. Warriors

Apr 16, 2024, 9:35 AM

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 30: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles against ...

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

The Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors will play a winner-take-all NBA Play-In game at Golden 1 Center on Tuesday night.

Nearly one year removed from his 50-point closeout performance in Game 7 of the NBA Playoffs–a game that also took place on Sacramento’s home floor–Warriors star guard Stephen Curry will once again face the task of sending the Kings home for the summer.

Following Monday’s practice session, Curry spoke to the media about his approach to Tuesday’s Play-In game, which he expects will have the qualities of a Game 7 atmosphere.

“This is technically a Game 7-type environment in the same building.”

Steph on the mindset heading into tomorrow’s game against the Kings pic.twitter.com/MhlUfVu1qQ

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 15, 2024

More from Stephen Curry on Kings vs. Warriors

When asked how Curry approached last year’s Game 7, the two-time MVP said there was a sense of urgency for a Warriors team that had just been handed a rare playoff loss at Chase Center.

“It was a sense of urgency, obviously,” Curry said. “Just understanding, we were in pretty good shape coming back from Sacramento, winning Game 5. They took it to us in Game 6 and we got embarrassed on our home floor. It’s a matter of how you respond at that point.”

And respond Curry did.

The future Hall of Famer exploded for 50 points (which at the time was an NBA record before Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum bested it days later) during a blowout Game 7 win in Sacramento.

“[There was] just an understanding of whatever it took to bring the right energy back to that Game 7 performance. Everybody talks about my numbers, but everybody was engaged and locked in, playing physical, playing with desperation,” Curry said.

“We’re going to have to have that same type of mentality tomorrow. Kind of ironic. Everything else built up to that Game 7. This is technically a Game 7-type environment in the same building. So, we gotta do it again.”

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

The stage is set for a Kings vs. Warriors rematch.

Sacramento will get a chance at redemption on Tuesday night when it faces Golden State in another win-or-go-home showdown. The ninth-seed Kings will look to send the tenth-seed Warriors home when the two teams meet at Golden 1 Center.

Not even one year ago, Stephen Curry’s 50-point performance eliminated Sacramento in Game 7 of the NBA Playoffs’ opening round, which also took place on the Kings’ home floor.

Sacramento and Golden State split the regular season series 2-2 this season, with both teams winning one game at home and on the road.

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 Golden 1 Center.

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