The Golden State Warriors won 126-125 to tie the Western Conference first-round series 2-2 against the Sacramento Kings, but they were on the verge of losing it all when a trap on Stephen Curry cost them four points. After missing a hurried 16-foot jump shot, Curry and the Warriors almost avoided the Kings’ ferocious fourth-quarter rally, but only by one point, in the Kings’ second straight home loss.
In a nail-biting game, the Golden State Warriors tied the Western Conference first-round series 2-2 against the Sacramento Kings, thanks to a 126-125 victory in Game 4. The Warriors almost avoided the Kings’ furious fourth-quarter comeback, but only by one point, in what became the Kings’ second straight home loss.
Curry’s critical timeout could have cost Warriors the game
With 40 seconds remaining, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry was trapped and sought a timeout because he had no one to pass to. The only problem was that the Warriors had used all of their timeouts. Curry’s timeout call awarded the Kings four points, a technical foul, and a De’Aaron Fox 3-pointer, pulling the Kings within one point.
After Curry missed a rushed 16-foot jump shot with 12 seconds to go, the Warriors had to rely on their defense to secure the win. Warriors’ assistant coaches suggested they switch Draymond Green onto De’Aaron Fox in the second half. Green held the Kings’ top scorer to just 2-of-7 shooting while defending him and contributed with seven rebounds and four assists.
Despite the tense ending, Stephen Curry was one of the main reasons the Warriors managed to stay within striking distance of the Kings throughout the game. Curry finished the night with 32 points on 11-of-22 shooting, including five 3-pointers. Along with Klay Thompson’s 23 points, Curry’s clutch baskets helped the Warriors overcome Sacramento’s fierce fourth-quarter rally.
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr forgot to warn his players that there were no more timeouts available, and Curry assumed responsibility for requesting the timeout. However, Kerr said, “There’s no time to be angry or frustrated. You just have to keep going, and our guys did that. We made some incredible stops down the stretch.”
Green’s second-half defense stifles Kings
After a poor performance in Game 1 and being suspended in Game 3, Draymond Green made up for his absence by stepping up his game in the second half of Game 4. Warriors’ assistant coaches suggested they switch Green onto De’Aaron Fox, who had scored 21 points in the first half, and he kept the Kings’ leading scorer to just 2-of-7 shooting while defending him. Green also had seven rebounds and four assists to help Golden State secure the victory.
