Warriors face narrow loss to the Kings, booting them from the NBA in-season Tournament

Photo by Randall Benton

The Golden State Warriors faced a disappointing end to the NBA in season tournament as they were defeated by the Sacramento Kings in a fiercely contested battle, the Kings narrowly winning 124-123. Despite a strong first half and standout efforts from players like Andrew Wiggins and Steph Curry, the Warriors quickly lost their lead, allowing the Kings to secure the win and advance to the knockout round. 

The Warriors showcased their star abilities in the first half, ending the second quarter with an impressive 72-51 lead. Wiggins was the top performer for the warriors, contributing eighteen points, two rebounds and two assists. The Warriors performance in the first half was one of the best the Warriors have displayed all season. The seventeen point lead provided a promising outlook for the team coming into the second half, but the team was unable to keep it. 

Despite the strong start, the Warriors faltered in the second half, particularly on the defensive end. The Kings capitalized on these defensive lapses, scoring easy points and rapidly closing the gap. The aggressive and strategic plays by the Kings, especially in the last few minutes of the game, proved to be the turning point, allowing the Kings to come away with the win. 

Photo by Kelly L Cox

Despite the defeat, individual performances by Curry and Wiggins stood out. Both players finished the game with an impressive 29 points and ten rebounds each. Kerr noted that Wiggins, in particular, had his best overall game of the season, making significant contributions on both ends of the court and playing extremely smart and tactical.

This loss now causes the Warriors to drop to tenth place in the Western Conference. As the regular season progresses, the Warriors will need to regroup and address the defensive vulnerabilities that surfaced in this crucial matchup. 

The Golden State Warriors' journey in the in-season tournament concluded on a disappointing note. While individual performances by Curry and Wiggins shone brightly, defensive lapses and mistakes the Warriors have been making all season. As the team looks ahead, addressing these weaknesses will be crucial to climbing the Western Conference standings and making a strong push for the playoffs.