Your Sacramento Kings hold a 2-0 series lead over the Golden State Warriors after a 114-106 win. In an absolute bonkers game, the Kings held home court in the first round, and the series now heads to the bay area.
The Kings countered the Warriors’ Game 1 strategies by attacking the paint, getting the Warriors into foul trouble, and scoring inside even as their outside shot faltered. The Kings shot 23.7% from 3 and still walked away with the win.
Davion Mitchell was huge for the Kings with 28 minutes off the bench, playing his trademark pestering defense while also contributing on the offensive end. Mitchell finished with 14 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals, but his impact was so much more than the box score shows.
Domantas Sabonis also had a bounce-back game. After struggling in Game 1, Sabonis attacked the paint early and often in Game 2. Sabonis finished with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. He took an absolute beating all game, including a chest-stomp from Draymond Green that resulted in Green being ejected from the game. Sabonis had grabbed Green’s foot prior to the stomp, earning a technical foul, but Green’s behavior was way over the line. For a player with his history of dirty play, Green should be suspended, but it’s the Warriors so I won’t hold my breath.
Despite finishing the game, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Sabonis is undergoing X-Rays on his ribs.
Sacramento Kings All-Star Domantas Sabonis is undergoing X-rays on his ribs/lungs, sources tell ESPN. Sabonis is getting evaluated after Draymond Green stepped on him in Game 2.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 18, 2023
Sabonis was on the ground in pain for several minutes following the foul, while Green taunted the home crowd. We know Sabonis is tough as nails, having played most of the season with a fractured thumb, but an injury to Sabonis could be devastating to the Kings playoff run.
De’Aaron Fox came up big for the Kings as well, also finishing with 24 points, to go along with 9 assists, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and a block.
The game overall was very sloppy, with 20 turnovers by the Warriors and 14 by the Kings, but the most of the Kings turnovers came early in the game. Both teams had 9 turnovers in the first quarter, but the Kings did a better job of taking care of the ball the remainder of the game.
Malik Monk once again came up big off the bench, adding 18 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block.
Kevin Huerter was cold from deep again, going just 2-9 from three, but started attacking inside and still added 15 points and 5 rebounds. His minutes were limited as he found himself in foul trouble early in the second half.
Keegan Murray struggled again, finishing with just 2 points, both on free throws. Murray only took one shot in 16 minutes. The Kings have survived without Murray so far, and he still contributed with 3 rebounds, an assist and a steal, but the Kings need more from their star rookie in the playoffs.
Harrison Barnes once again came up big for the Kings in key moments. His stat line of 13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and an assist fails to tell the story of his impact on this game. Mid-game, TNT also reported that there is mutual interest between Barnes and the Kings in reaching a new deal this summer as Barnes hits free agency.
Finally, it’s worth shouting out Alex Len. Len played just 8 minutes in this game but they were impactful minutes. He was 2-2 and those 2 were both huge, demoralizing dunks.
The Kings now shift to playing at Golden State for Game 3. The Warriors have been a much better home team than road team this season, but the Kings have also been one of the league’s best road teams.
Game 3 is Thursday, April 20th, tipping off at 7 PM PT on TNT.
Pretty sure we can all agree that Draymond Green is bad
We knew that going into this series. I am glad that Sabonis took the high road and didn’t say anything bad in the post game interview when asked directly about it. Nice to have classy players who play hard and don’t act like a-holes.
Absolute class act. Gained even more respect for him after that post game interview.
There is a game thread… Also there is a world thread.
My duds friends were trying to justify it by he grabbed his ankle so what did he expect…. like… what?
God I hope we sweep their candy asses
D baby!
OMG!
Draymond is a little B. First time Curry is 0-2 in the playoffs. Warriors are crumbling at our hands & I love it.
I can’t see Warriors winning 4 out of 5
It’ll be interesting to see the ramifications, with Draymond doing that in front of Silver. I expect nothing to happen though, considering he’s been deemed untouchable.
He should be suspended for the playoffs.
You could easily send someone to the hospital with a stomp like that.
It’s hard to even call that a stomp. He launched himself off of Sabonis to go down court. Then to get into it with the crowd while saying he loves it, how does Silver not respond? If he’s okay with that he won’t have any problem with Len clotheslining Draymond next game if his arm is held.
I don’t think Draymond is at all “untouchable.” Not when it comes to suspensions and fines (hasn’t he led the league the last few years in those departments?) and not in retaliations, either. I do think that the current version of the Kings are above things like physical retaliation, tho, and would prefer to end the Warriors playoff lives instead.
Also, Draymond Green is a clown.
Yeah, unless Domas has broken a rib, he’ll play.
I hate that we are discussing this instead of a wonderful team win, with excellent defense and poise down the wire.
This is true. The Kings were beyond good!
His interaction with the crowd and arguing with fans should be part of the equation as well. That was ugly.
I don’t know how anyone can cheer for that guy. No class.
The guy literally had his hands to his ear and was waving on the crowd while Domas was still on the floor. That’s seriously fucked up.
Klay Thompson said in the postgame that Draymond Green’s reaction in stomping Domas was because he was holding Green’s leg as he was running in a full sprint.
What a classless group.
Not surprising from a guy who is still angry we didn’t draft him so his rookie deal was worth more.
Like a teacher on a holiday…
He thinks he deserves a max contract when he’s basically just a spot up three point shooter at this point who can’t play D. So I’d say he has a self aggrandized ego.
Like Columbus Day, no class!
I have nothing but respect for Curry. But draymond, klay and poole are douchebag clowns.
And I place blame and shame on Kerr, his coaching staff and Steph,
Klay and Igoudala for allowing that embarrassment of Draymond’s behavior during the ref review.
You’ve nailed it. It was an embarrassment for Kerr, who was shown to have no control over Draymond, while Draymond was instigating the fans. It could have gone very badly.
If the refs hadn’t handled it the way they had, it would have been worse. They really only had one route to take that, fair or not.
It’s just an ugly bad look however you want to slice it.
Recall that Draymond pushed Sabonis out of bounds earlier and got away with it.
Other question:
Why was the Curry charge reviewed? There was no coach’s
challenge. Was it because it was Steph?
I was at this game – crowd was ridiculous – loud, proud and I was wow-ed
It was an official review within the last 2 minutes. They do that if one or more refs questions the call.
Thanks Adamsite
Anyone have that clip of Draymond pulling Sabonis to the floor and rolling on him last game?
The Warriors are trying to injure the Kings All-Star player who was 6th in the MVP race in both playoff games and this is acceptable to the NBA?
I don’t understand this at all. Not a bit. It ain’t basketball.
Was there too. Half the crowd would’ve rushed the floor to fight Draymond if they could’ve after his antics. Not a good look for the NBA.
I would hold a guys leg too if his massive foot was right next to my face! Absolutely ridiculous to pull “Suh move”
Yes, Draymond’s incitement of the crowd is a huge issue. Does the NBA want to wait until security loses control over the fans in an arena?
We’ve got’em on the ropes. Let’s finish them!
Way to do it in front of Floyd Mayweather
Warriors on the ropes, let’s keep it that way.
WE’RE UP 2-0 GOING INTO SAN FRANCISCO!!!!
It’s 10:34 pm, I’m not even close to finishing up packing for my trip starting tomorrow afternoon, and I’m probably going to bed late, but I don’t care. WE’RE UP 2-0 AGAINST THE WARRIORS WHEN EVERYONE WROTE US OFF EVEN BEFORE THE SERIES BEGAN!!! LET’S GET TWO MORE DUBS AND SHUT UP ALL THE DOUBTERS!!!
And lastly, a big f*ck you to Draymond Green.
Fook draymond.
Getting your leg grabbed doesn’t entitle you to stomp on someone’s stomach. And then to show no contrition and get into it with fans whilst Domas is still on the ground in pain is just bush league. Poole is a clown too as he was egging draymond on during that time.
The announcers didn’t call draymond out in real time, nor did the post game TNT crew. I’ve never seen a player with a longer leash, it’s as if it’s like “well it’s draymond just let him be.” He’s been harassing the refs non stop for two games but no technicals.
Sweep the duds!
🟣🔦
Steph Curry, perhaps the greatest shooter in NBA history, finished the night just 3-13 from 3. I guess you can say he had an… OFF NIGHT.
THIS
Over and over THIS.
What a performance.
Davion is to the Kings what Michael “Coooooooooop” Cooper was to the Showtime Lakers.
LOVE OFF NIGHT
Love the way Davion and Fox as well have been pushing up on Curry. Yeah, he still gets his little magical Curry shots from time to time but you can see the pressure they’re applying on him. Hell of an effort these first two games
And it wears Curry down!
I’m a little concerned that the whistle might come quick in games 3 and 4 for Fox and Davion if they are guarding Steph like this. I can just see GS sending in a tape to the league asking for the refs to allow Curry more daylight to operate.
In regards to the Draymond stomp, all this talk that “Sabonis held his foot” is moot IMO. If a player holds an arm (which happens all the time), does that give the right for the other player to punch them? Why isn’t what Draymond did considered the same as a punch?
If, and that’s a big IF, Sabonis has a cracked rib or similar injures, does Draymond play another game in this series? I say this because it wasn’t a common foul that caused an injury. It was a flagrant 2 that may have caused an injury.
For reference, Dillon Brooks was suspended last season for committing a flagrant 2 and on Gary Payton II that resulted in a broken bone. That play could be considered a basketball play that was excessive. What Draymond did tonight was not a play on the ball.
Here is the Brooks play that got a 1 game suspension last May.
He should be suspended for the series.
He literally assaulted Sabonis.
Yes, yes, yes but the NBA must of course consider TV ratings and star power in its discipline process.
Adamsite,
If you recorded the game look at the play leading up to Draymond’s flagrant fouled. Thompson fouled Sabonis hard with his shoulder which knocked Domas to the ground. I am not so sure Domas grabbed Draymonds leg on purpose. Thompson shoulder fouls him and I think Domas pulls his arms up to his chest from that foul which caused his arm to go around Draymond’s leg reflexively.
The way I was seeing it was more of a “I’m on the floor, don’t step on me but maybe I can use you to get back up” move. Not the smartest probably, but I don’t see it as anything malicious.
Edit: Yep
We simply have too much stuff for the Dubs to take away. Watch Keegan show up in game 3.
I´m not easily impressed, but today I´m stunned at what this young team can do.
The Warriors and play-in teams were stumbeling over themselves to get the Kings in round 1. Now look what is about to happen to the defending champs. I bet they wish they could play Memphis right now.
Domas X-ray results have already leaked
That Domas dunk at the end was exactly what the kings needed and the Warriors deserve
Draymond with such a dirty play, so glad we go up 2-0 on those POS
I wanna do a quick shout out. I’ve watched the last two games in San Francisco in the Mission, and while people in the bars I’ve been in have fervently cheered for the Warriors, they have been respectful of the one Kings fan in the bar, and some have expressed that they’d cheer for the Kings in any situation but this. Do I want the Kings to beat their team into the ground? Yes. Am I glad I will be out of region for the next two games? Also yes. But respect to the people supporting our opponents but acting chill to the guy screaming for the Kings in their bars.
Glad the fans have more class than some of their players. Warriors fans are kindred spirits with more recent success… until now
I’ve been at both games, and, for the nost part, Warriors fans have cheered their team without being obnoxious, which is a lot different than I expected.
I’m guessing you’re also 6’6 275lbs and smile like Keegan, amirite?
😛 Glad you’re enjoying the games. And in the Mission!
Which bar in the Mission?
(I used to live on 18th and Capp in the early 2000’s.)
Lol six feet and 220, but even when I was screaming “what the fuck Draymond” they were pretty ok. Happy to represent hahah. I was at St. Mary’s Pub for the first and The Bar on Dolores for the second. Good folks in each. I’m out of state until Monday, but will report on atmosphere if the series last longer than that (and I’m thrilled
that the Kings could win before then!).
Agreed. I was at both games. For the most part just usual cheering and banter back and forth, just a few idiots on both sides trying to stir up something. At the end everyone has been pretty civil.
I wrote a poem:
Light the Beam
and fuck Draymond Green
Make this a sign and put it in my front yard
That might have to be my next tattoo…lol
LTB! LFG!
Light The Beam!
Legdrop Fuckin’ Green?
This fan is a hero LOL
https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1648198953916149760
That’s hilarious, I can’t believe he thought he could blend in with the crowd without being noticed by Kings fans.
Also, a little further down the thread I came across for the first time the Fox mic’d up video from Game 1, that got me all pumped again for Game 3.
🤣 🤣 💀 💀
Deafness ensues!
(yikes)
Davion Mitchell can’t be denied… literally.
It’s beautiful isn’t it?
The Warriors cheap play and weak antics broadcast to everyone who they think they have to be to beat the Kings.
This is who they are, it’s sad for them and empowering for the Kings.
Reminds me of sad Pistons shit from 30+ years ago when the Bulls swept them.
NBA basketball… Kings are getting trolled by Draymond Green and possibly the referees
Draydumb said he couldn’t get himself up to play the Kings. Hopefully he won’t get to suit up, either.
Davion put the clamps on Curry. 🔥
Those hedges and rotations in the 4th were ELITE.
Draymond needs a bacon cheeseburger before leaving Sac tonight.
Domas dunk at the end was a great way to say F*** you, come again.
Let’s paint SF purple y’all!
Heading to Chase Center up 2-0…
Light the Beam!
Have fun 🙂
Good news on Domas. X-rays negative
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1648212055479189506
Thank God. Once again, f*ck Draymond.
Good.
And Green won’t be suspended, which takes away that excuse when we stomp on their chest, metaphorically of course.
I never thought the Kings could win this kind of gritty, physical game, with the Warriors playing like the 1980s Celtics and late 1980s, early 1990s Pistons (at least as much as they could get away with it).
But they did.
Just an amazing performance and when the game was on the line, the Warriors were the ones who lost their cool. Brown has the team focused, and prepared for whatever the Warriors will physically and mentally throw at them.
GREAT win. Hope Domas is fine. Green needs to be suspended at least one game.
2-0 and watching the duds dynasty crumble is priceless
This team barely seemed to keep anyone from getting wide open looks at the 3-point line all year long. And yet they are now playing…. defense?!?….
I saw a shot clock violation or two, a hurried shot off the side of the backboard, air balls, and EVERY Warriors player being harassed on the perimeter.
Sure there were a couple of breakdowns, but I would much rather live with a few broken plays that end up in a layup versus gifting the other team the momentum by allowing their shooters to do just that.
This may not be a great defensive team; but coach Brown knows the offense he’s up against and he has so far, in my estimation, installed the better scheme.
Death by a thousand Beams!!!!
Draymond Green is an absolute craptastic piece of amphibious shit. What a classless lowlife clown.
The Warriors are his enablers, their lack of class showed tonight. That shine they used to have is coming right off. Not too surprising. Their ending is coming, they know it, and there’s a lot of people that simply werent prepared to write their obituary. The series isn’t really over yet, but this was an ugly affair in pretty much all ways.
As far as the game, defense, tenacity and poise. The Kings had a lot of it and wouldn’t let any of the antics (these aren’t new by Dray Day) stop them. I’m still amazed Domas finished the game, and I’m curious as to why the X-Ray’s were taken at all. Hopefully it was precautionary in case there was something problematic.
Otherwise, yall know the drill. Warriors scored 39 points off 3’s, 15 points off FTs and 52 points off 2’s (40 in the paint). Thats the 3 main area’s of emphasis (3’s, paint points and FTs) comes out to 94 total points of the 106 total.
Kings scored 27 points off 3’s, 21 points at the FT line, and 62 points off 2’s (54 in the paint). Focusing on the 3 main area’s, that’s 110 of 114 points.
25 to 9 points off turnovers advantage Sac. 20 to 9 2nd chance points advantage Sac.
All in all a gritty tough win that many thought this team was incapable of. I guess, for at least one night anyway, that answers that.
Onto game 3.
That was some surprisingly great defense by the Kings. Hopefully they keep that up since it’d give them a good chance of sweeping GS, which would be awesome.
Fuck Draymond. I hope he’s suspended.
Let’s get this done in 4!
DRAYMOND GREEN BIG STOMP
WARRIORS CHANCES WHOMP WHOMP
LIGHT THE BEAM KINGS ROMP
The Kings caused that meltdown. When the Warriors look back on how they lost this series, one of the first things that will come to mind is how Draymond lost his shit in Game 2. What a bitch ass way to see their dynasty die.
Unfortunately had to miss the game, but did see that AI generated image of Draymond kicking/stomping Sabonis. I tell you, those things look so real nowadays. But not even Draymond would be that dirty and stupid.
Glad the Kings one though. What a time to be alive.
If Kings are going to slow down Curry, don’t try 45 feet from the basket where the defender (notably Davion) repeatedly gets caught on ultra-high screens and Curry goes downhill while rest of defenders are on the perimeter. Let Curry shoot all night from 45 feet.
As insane as it seems to write this, you don’t leave Curry alone once he crosses midcourt. All he needs is to see the basket clearly, the distance is almost irrelevant to him.
Besides, if it ain’t broke…
I think Davion’s harassment of Curry even in full court will wear Curry down over the course of a game and series. The Kings have big advantages in youth and depth. They should use both advantages. Full-court, three-quarter court, and half-court pressure on Curry are part of this. This series is the downfall of the old dynasty. And the rise of a new. . . ?
incredible response by the Kings after the Green incident.
Call me crazy, but I dont want Draymond suspended. I want the Kings to junk punch the Dubs right out of the first round with a full squad. No excuses can be made.
I’m in agreement here.
Although, I really don’t care about having to hear the Warriors’ fans excuses for years to come if it means the Kings are going to the next round.
That being said, the series is never over until it is.
Looking to keep things classy and not talk trash or worry about to other team’s antics. Hoping the Kings just go about their business and get the wins. Talk trash when they are eliminated.
I think the longer Draymond is out there, the more people get hurt, and there’s a possibility a kings player loses their cool and retaliates and then has actual repercussions taken against them, cause they play for the Kings and not the Warriors. But I’m sure Coach is telling his players to not let Draymond get under their skin. It’s just rough all around and I don’t want a player to get hurt cause Green thinks he’s playing for the WWE
I don’t know why nobody has made the simple observation that Domas out Draymond’d Draymond. Like, subtle things like grabbing a player’s leg or bumping them off their feet are things Draymond has been doing his ENTIRE career. Heck, just go to YouTube and search “Draymond grabs leg” and you’ll see him grabbing Aaron Gordon’s leg! Like i haven’t heard one talking head acknowledge that like Sabonis could basically have been watching old Draymond clips and taking notes for the gamesmanship he’s been displaying. I love Draymond, warts and all, but I feel like even he has to tip his hat and acknowledge that maybe it’s just the young guys improving on his old tricks.
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