Heading into a home matchup against a Sacramento Kings squad playing without All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox, the Golden State Warriors were expected to win handily. With Fox sidelined due to injury, many anticipated that the Warriors would take advantage of the Kings’ loss and dominate the game, as they had done in previous seasons when facing teams without their star players. After all, the Warriors had Steph Curry, the reigning two-time MVP and one of the best players in the league, leading the charge. However, the game proved to be anything but the expected result, as the Kings not only held their ground but thoroughly outplayed the Warriors on both ends of the floor. The final score, a resounding 129-99 in favor of Sacramento, would leave Warriors fans and analysts alike questioning the team’s preparedness and execution.
A Disastrous Start
From the very beginning, the game was a disaster for the Warriors. The Kings came out firing on all cylinders, capitalizing on the Warriors’ early mistakes and lack of defensive intensity. By the end of the first quarter, the Kings had already built a commanding 15-point lead, 36-21. Sacramento’s fast-paced offense and aggressive defense, combined with Golden State’s inability to execute their game plan, quickly put the Warriors on their heels.
While it’s not uncommon for teams to have a rough start, the manner in which the Warriors fell behind was particularly concerning. Turnovers, poor shot selection, and an overall lack of focus allowed the Kings to take control early. With Fox out, many thought Sacramento’s offense might sputter or struggle to find its rhythm. Instead, the Kings thrived in transition, exploiting the Warriors’ defensive lapses and turning mistakes into easy baskets. The up-tempo playstyle of the Kings, which had been one of their strengths all season, was on full display. The Warriors, however, looked sluggish, disjointed, and utterly unprepared for the intensity of the game.
Sacramento’s Dominance
As the game progressed, Sacramento’s lead only grew larger. By halftime, the Kings had already extended their advantage to 22 points, 68-46, and the Warriors had no answers for the barrage of scoring coming from all directions. Harrison Barnes, the former Warrior, was a major factor in the first half, scoring efficiently and contributing to the team’s overall offensive flow. The Kings didn’t just rely on one or two players; they played as a collective unit, with multiple guys contributing to the scoring effort.
It was clear that the Kings’ depth, something that had been a concern for Golden State in the past, was a significant factor in the Warriors’ downfall. Sacramento had a well-balanced attack, with players like Domantas Sabonis dominating in the paint, Malik Monk providing a scoring spark off the bench, and rookie Keegan Murray showing flashes of the potential that made him such a coveted prospect. The Warriors, on the other hand, looked like a team stuck in quicksand, unable to find any rhythm or consistency. Even when Curry tried to get his teammates involved, the ball movement was stagnant, and the shots were forced.
A Night to Forget for Steph Curry
Steph Curry, despite his best efforts, could not will the Warriors back into the game. He finished with 26 points on 8-12 shooting, an impressive individual performance, but one that couldn’t mask the deficiencies of the team as a whole. Curry’s scoring was the lone bright spot for Golden State, but his inability to register a single assist marked a stark contrast to the fluid offensive system the Warriors have come to rely on. This was Curry’s first game without recording an assist since March 2018, a sign of just how out of sync the team was offensively.
Without the usual ball movement and offensive flow, Curry was forced to take over in isolation situations, but that didn’t yield much success. He got his points, but the Warriors were unable to generate any meaningful offensive runs to cut into the deficit. Curry was clearly frustrated, often looking for a spark from his teammates who simply couldn’t keep up with the pace set by the Kings.
Golden State’s reliance on Curry to shoulder the entire offensive load was not only unsustainable but also detrimental to the team’s overall success. The Warriors have long been a team that thrives on ball movement, three-point shooting, and spreading the floor to create open looks for their shooters. Without the proper ball movement, however, Curry’s brilliance became more of a lone bright spot than a catalyst for team success.
Turnovers and Poor Execution
One of the most glaring issues for the Warriors in this game was their turnovers. They committed an eye-popping 22 turnovers, which handed the Kings easy transition opportunities. Sacramento’s transition game is one of the most potent in the NBA, and the Warriors’ inability to take care of the ball played directly into the hands of the Kings’ fast-paced attack. Every turnover seemed to fuel the Kings’ momentum, and the Warriors had no answer to stop the bleeding.
While turnovers can be a part of any game, the sheer volume of mistakes made by the Warriors in this contest was alarming. It wasn’t just the number of turnovers, but the timing and lack of discipline in executing basic offensive principles. Golden State’s ball handlers were sloppy, and their spacing on offense was inconsistent, leading to rushed shots and poor decisions. The Kings, meanwhile, were precise and disciplined, capitalizing on every mistake and playing with a sense of purpose and cohesion.
A Wake-Up Call for the Warriors
As the game continued to slip away from them, the Warriors’ defensive woes also became more pronounced. While the Kings had been playing at a high level offensively, Golden State’s defense was porous, allowing Sacramento to get whatever shot they wanted. Whether it was inside with Sabonis or from the outside with the likes of Monk and Murray, the Kings had no trouble finding open looks. The Warriors’ rotations were slow, and they lacked the intensity and energy needed to contest shots effectively.
The 39-point deficit in the third quarter was the largest the Warriors had faced in a home game in years. It was a sobering moment for a franchise that had prided itself on its championship pedigree and ability to rise to the occasion. The Warriors eventually lost the game 129-99, a margin that was as embarrassing as it was surprising.
For Golden State, this game served as a wake-up call. They couldn’t rely solely on Curry to carry them through tough games. The team needed to get back to the fundamentals—ball movement, defensive intensity, and taking care of the basketball. The Warriors were humbled on their home court, and if they hoped to make a deep playoff run, they would need to address the issues that were exposed in this disastrous loss.
As for the Sacramento Kings, they proved that they were more than capable of competing with anyone, even without their star point guard. With Fox expected to return soon, the Kings’ victory only bolstered their confidence and sent a message to the rest of the league that they were a team to be reckoned with.
