In an exhilarating preseason matchup, the Golden State Warriors triumphed over the Sacramento Kings with a final score of 120-115 in overtime on Sunday evening. The absence of key players, including Draymond Green, Steph Curry, and Chris Paul, created an opportunity for emerging talents to shine under the guidance of head coach Steve Kerr.

 

The game’s early moments saw the Kings assert control, surging to a 15-point lead by the close of the first quarter. Domantas Sabonis, a formidable presence in the paint for Sacramento, put on a dominant display, amassing 19 points (on an impressive 8-for-11 shooting), 11 rebounds, and 5 assists within 25 minutes of gameplay. The Kings’ frontcourt, featuring the sharpshooting duo of Keegan Murray and Trey Lyles, capitalized on the Warriors’ defensive lapses, sinking 6 of 12 three-point attempts.

 

The second quarter witnessed Jonathan Kuminga spearheading a 12-3 run for the Warriors, momentarily narrowing the deficit. However, the Kings swiftly reestablished their double-digit lead. Notably, Andrew Wiggins and Moses Moody ignited late in the quarter, reducing the Warriors’ halftime disadvantage to 59-56.

 

The Warriors dominated the third quarter but struggled to extend their lead beyond four points. As they entered the final quarter, the game was tied at 83 apiece. The closing minutes of regulation were marked by a seesaw battle, with Golden State appearing poised to pull ahead with a 10-2 surge. However, Sacramento’s Alex Len buried a crucial three-pointer to narrow the gap.

In the waning seconds of regulation, Warriors guard Lester Quiñones had his layup attempt blocked, allowing Jordan Ford to make a layup, equalizing the score at 111-111 with just 11.8 seconds remaining. Kuminga embarked on a drive down the court, but the ball was knocked out of bounds, leaving the Warriors a mere 2.0 seconds to craft an inbound play for the win. Kerr devised an alley-oop play, but Brandin Podziemski’s pass sailed too high, forcing overtime.

 

Podziemski continued to grapple with scoring against NBA defenders, finishing 1-for-5 from the field with 3 points in 32 minutes. Nonetheless, he made significant contributions in other facets, amassing 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and a mere 2 turnovers.

The Warriors seized the initiative in the opening three minutes of overtime, outscoring the Kings 8-2, which enabled them to expertly manage the clock in the final 90 seconds, ultimately securing the hard-fought victory.

 

Among the Warriors’ seasoned veterans, Wiggins led the charge with 20 points in 22 minutes, while Thompson added 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting. Kuminga, the standout performer of the evening, tallied an impressive 28 points alongside five rebounds. Quiñones chipped in with 18 points, and Moody showcased his three-point prowess, shooting 3-for-5 beyond the arc and contributing 16 points to the victory.