By Sam Amick, Marcus Thompson II and Hunter Patterson
The Warriors fell to 0-2 in the playoffs for the first time since 2007 after losing 114-106 to the Kings in Sacramento on Monday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Golden State 1 center erupted midway through the fourth quarter and Golden State forward Draymond Green was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected after kicking Kings forward Domantas Sabinis. Sabinis grabbed Green’s leg while he was on the ground first and received a technical foul.
- Initial X-rays on Sabonis’ ribs and lungs were negative, according to a team source. He will conduct further investigations on Tuesday.
- Warriors star Stephen Curry leads all scorers with 28 points and ranks 18th in NBA playoff scoring. He shot 9-of-21 from the field Monday, including 3-of-13 from deep.
- Sabinis and De’Arron Fox led Sacramento with 24 points. Malik Monk had 18 points off the bench.
The athleticsQuick analysis:
More discipline coming for Green?
Green had eight points on 3-of-6 shooting in 31 minutes before exiting. As the play was reviewed by the judges, an animated Green enraged the Sacramento crowd. The event starts the green’s score counter and is awarded two points, and if it reaches four points, it is suspended for one game.
With the Warriors in a deep hole here, we’ll be waiting to see if there’s any more punishment Green will take to step on Newbies’ feet. Coincidentally, NBA commissioner Adam Silver was in attendance.
There’s a bit of irony on that front as well, as the head of all disciplinary action in today’s NBA is former Kings executive and Pistons legend Joe Dumars, the league’s executive vice president of basketball operations. If I had to make a handicap, I’d be surprised if Draymond was suspended. But I’ve been surprised before. – Amic
What else happened to the warriors?
The Warriors’ offense was overshadowed by a team that was completely unremarkable on defense. Golden State, through two games, is now 29-for-90 from behind the arc. The Kings play hard on the perimeter — throwing two bodies at Curry, or running a box-and-one on him — and force others to create offense. The physicality and aggressiveness of the kings worked wonders.
The Warriors were successful inside, but they weren’t chasing the King’s offense without making a three. Curry was 3 for 13 against all of Sacramento’s attention.
The Warriors have struggled on the road every season, especially in times of adversity. Now their remaining chances in this series is to dominate at home. Chase’s center has been their saving grace this season. – Thompson
He worked for Sacramento
The importance of Davion Mitchell cannot be overstated. His biggest impact was on defense as he totaled 14 points and three assists. Yes, Curry scored 28 points, but he shot 3-13 from 3 and turned the ball over five times. Mitchell had a big hand in making life difficult for Curry and the rest of the Warriors in his 28 minutes on Monday night.
Fox was encouraging of Mitchell’s defensive efforts in practice, saying simply, “Being here makes me better.” – Patterson
What are they saying?
Green said he was told he was fired for kicking too hard at Sabinis.
“My leg got caught. Second time in two nights. … My leg has to rest somewhere,” Green said.
Kings coach Mike Brown said the incident “definitely” deserved a Flagrant 2 for Green. “It will be interesting to see what the NBA does when they review it,” he added.
The main points of the game
Key statistics
The Warriors had 22 turnovers and 26 fouls. They won 12-5 in the final 2:54 of the game.
It is necessary to read
(Photo: Carrie Edmondson / USA Today)
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