Not yet, at least, according to the Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors avoided falling behind 3-0 to the Sacramento Kings in their first-round series by winning Game 3 by a score of 114-97 without the services of banned star player Draymond Green. Now down 2-1, Game 4 will be played in San Francisco at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC on Sunday.
Golden State never trailed and went on to win by double digits by the end of the second quarter, giving them a lead they never relinquished. After that moment, the Kings could never get within 7 points of the advantage.
Curry and the Warriors are alive and well in the first round
Green’s controversial suspension for a stomp on Domantas Sabonis loomed big heading into the game, with the defending champions missing their defensive captain against the NBA’s leading offensive efficiency this season. The Warrior’s defense kept the Kings to 38% shooting (23.9% from deep) with 15 turnovers after sacrificing 126 and 114 points in Games 1 and 2, respectively.
Golden State Warriors make changes in Game 3
The Warriors put Jordan Poole on the field instead of Green, but it was Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga who had to step up. Both got more playing time without Green, and they did their part, scoring 19 points on 7 of 14 shots and grabbing 5 boards.
Curry, who finished with 36 points on 12-of-25 shooting (6-of-12 from long range), guided the offense as expected, and Kevon Looney proved his worth with 20 rebounds and 9 assists.
This was the Kings’ opportunity to push the Warriors to the limit. Following a near-perfect start to the series in Sacramento, the club now faces the potential of a Game 4 in front of a loud Chase Center. They still have home-court advantage, which is no minor feat considering the Warriors’ strange home-road splits, but chances like Thursday are the sort you want to take advantage of when attempting to break into the NBA’s elite.
They can only pray that they don’t come to regret it.
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