Warriors Continue Losing Ways drop 29th road game to Memphis 133-119

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) defends against Golden State Warriors center Kevin Looney (5) during the first half at Memphis on Sat Mar 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

Warriors Continue Losing Ways drop 29th road game to Memphis 133-119

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors (36-36) continued on what has been a most disappointing road trip dropping the first two games, one against the Hawks and the first game of this recent trip to the Los Angeles Clippers. Tonight they faced another very tough opponent in the Memphis Grizzlies (43-27) and once again lost another road game 133-119.

Memphis is a power house sitting in second place in the Western Conference. These two teams do not like each other and have clashed all season. Golden State continues to struggle on the road and are facing some major challenges right now as the season begins to wind down.

Game recap: The Grizzlies jumped all over Golden State in the first quarter leading after the first twelve minutes 33-23. The second quarter was a close one with Memphis coming out on top 38-36 and leading at the half 71-59. The Grizzlies outscored the Warriors from beyond the arc 60% to Golden State’s 40.%.

Jonathan Kuminga kept the Warriors competitive in the first quarter hitting three shots from beyond the arc and finishing the half with 15 points.

The Warriors got within striking distance in the third quarter, and with 6:54 left in the quarter trailed by four points 80-76. Golden State worked hard to get oh so close only to let the Grizzlies off the hook. With 5:17 left on the clock in the quarter Memphis was back on top 90-76.

It’s just so hard to understand how so much can go wrong so quickly and then in a blink of an eye, get back within six points with 2:26 left in the quarter. The Warriors were showing a lot of fight but their play was just so inconsistent. Every time they got close, Memphis put the stops on Golden State.

After three quarters, the Warriors had cut the Grizzlies lead to four points 104-100. Jonathan Kuminga was having a terrific game with 24 points and 7 rebounds through three quarters.

The Warriors got close at times in this game but could not push it over the top. The Grizzlies handing the Warriors their third loss on this road trip. The struggles for Golden State continue as the team is now 36-36 and hanging by their fingernails onto a playoff spot tied for sixth with the Mavericks.

Jonathan Kuminga finished with 24 points, the high tonight. Also off the bench, Jordan Poole had 21 points. It was a slow night for Stephen Curry with 16 points and Klay Thompson with 14.

Monday night the Warriors will take on the Rockets in Houston. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings first winning season in 17 years

That’s the money smile as Domantas Sabonis hits the floor in the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclay Center in Brooklyn on Thu Mar 16, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Sacramento Kings (42-27) clinched their first winning season in 17 years with a 101-96 win over the Brooklyn Nets (39-31) at Barclays Center on Thursday night.

#2 It was the first time that the Kings have finished above .500 since the 2005-06 season when they earned a 44-38 record. 

#3 The Kings made the playoffs eight straight times under then-head coach Rick Adelman, the last being in the 2005-06 season, but had a losing record all the other years since moving to Sacramento.  

#4 Sacramento led by as many as 17 points, and the Nets made a comeback effort in the second half that came close but fell short. De’Aaron Fox had 18 points. Kessler Edwards contributed 10 points.

#5 The Kings (42-27) are second in the western conference. They continue their road trip on Saturday against the Washington Wizards. Tipoff is at 5 p.m.

Join Jeremiah Salmonson for the Sacramento Kings podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

After 17 years of waiting Kings clinch first winning season with win over Nets 101-96

Brooklyn Nets’ Edmond Sumner (4) passes the ball away from Sacramento Kings’ Domantas Sabonis (10) during the second half at Barclay Center on Thu Mar 16, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

BROOKLYN, NY. — The Sacramento Kings (42-27) clinched their first winning season in 17 years with a 101-96 win over the Brooklyn Nets (39-31) at Barclays Center on Thursday night.

It was the first time that the Kings have finished above .500 since the 2005-06 season when they earned a 44-38 record. 

Despite the milestone, Kings head coach Mike Brown said he doesn’t equate March 16 with 42 wins and making the playoffs. The Kings are focused on “trying to get as many wins as possible,” he said. 

The game was tied at 41 with less than 3 1/2 minutes to go in the first quarter. Domantas Sabonis made a triple that set off a 13-0 run for Sacramento. Domantas scored 24 points, including nearly 20 by halftime. 

Sacramento led by as many as 17 points, and the Nets made a comeback effort in the second half that came close but fell short. De’Aaron Fox had 18 points. Kessler Edwards contributed 10 points.

“We were trying to get a win like that all year,” said Brown.

The Kings made the playoffs eight straight times under then-head coach Rick Adelman, the last being in the 2005-06 season, but had a losing record all the other years since moving to Sacramento.  

“I think being here for over four years now, and seeing the bottom – the very bottom – and to see the frustration of fans and the people in the organization, I think it’s nice to be on the other side it,” said Kings forward Harrison Barnes. “A lot of people, they don’t get a chance to stay in an organization long enough to see the good times and the bad, they just see the bad side. So I consider myself fortunate to be able to be part of this moment.”

The Kings (42-27) are second in the western conference. They continue their road trip on Saturday against the Washington Wizards. Tipoff is at 5 p.m.

Golden State Warriors game wrap: Curry can’t save Golden State in 134-126 loss; Green suspended after 16th technical; Iguodala to have wrist surgery

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry, left, defends against Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard during the first half at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Wed Mar 15, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (36-34) guard Stephen Curry carried the Warriors on his back scoring 50 points but it wasn’t enough as Golden State lost their 27th road game of the season dropping their road record to 7-27. The Warriors took a beating at Crypto.com Arena to the Los Angeles Clippers (37-33).

Regardless the Clippers were able to get their own offensive house in order and keep up with Golden State with the Clippers Kawhi Leonard who led with 30 points and was followed up by guard Paul George with 24 points. Curry tried to save the game by going on a scoring clinic in the fourth quarter of the game.

Nonetheless the Clippers Leonard kept the Warriors at bay on the scoreboard and the Clippers defense well enough to keep the Warriors away for the win with the help of George. In spite of all the hard work by Curry the Warriors just couldn’t keep up and lost by eight 134-126.

“You know they are going to make big runs, but we kept our composure, stayed steady and executed on the offensive end,” Leonard said in the post game presser. Leonard has been hot of late this was his fourth 30 point game in the last eight games he also went 10-19, had eight rebounds and five assists on Wednesday night.

This was a crucial game for Golden State they were on the Clippers heels placing fifth place in the NBA Western Conference standings but their issues of winning road games continue and having won only seven games on the road is just a little more than a snake bitten problem. Losing Draymond Green for their next game in Atlanta on Friday suspended for accruing his 16th technical foul. The Clippers on other hand have won four straight and move into fourth place in Western Conference.

Players who receive 16 technical fouls plus two additional technical fouls are suspended for one game. At 40.8 seconds left in the contest Green picked up the technical after throwing a ball against the Clippers Russell Westbrook’s face after Westbrook scored a layup.

Andre Iguodala will have wrist surgery. Iguodala injured his wrist on Mon Mar 13th at the Chase Center while playing against the Phoenix Suns. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr did not know when Iguodala will return and said that his injury is a great loss for the team.

The Warriors will try to pick up their eighth road win in Atlanta this Friday a 4:30 pm tip. The Hawks (34-35) have won five of their last ten games and are slightly over .500 for their season home record at 18-15.

Kings Start Road Trip With Clutch Win Over Bulls 117-114; Fox gets 3 pt buzzer beater for win

Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine (8) gets Sacramento Kings’ De’Aaron Fox off his feet during the second half at the United Center in Chicago on Wed Mar 15, 2023 (AP News photo)

Kings Start Road Trip With Clutch Win Over Bulls 117-114

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night the Sacramento Kings (41-27) took on the Chicago Bulls (31-37) at United Center in Chicago. The Bulls came into this game after a winning effort beating the Houston Rockets 119-111. The Kings had a tough loss against the best team in the NBA, the Milwaukee Bucks 133-124.

In Mondays loss to the Bucks the Kings were faced with the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Kings had the lead at the half and mid-way through the fourth quarter the game was a tight one, the game tied at 108. Sacramento just couldn’t finish.

The Kings had some untimely turnovers in the final three minutes and too many empty possessions. They missed six shots in the closing minutes. The Kings just got by the Bulls on Wednesday night in a four point win 117-114.

In the opening quarter of this game, the Bulls took a 30-25 lead. The Kings had some early turnovers in the first twelve minutes, five in total.

At the half, the Bulls still had the lead 62-53 and the Kings had some work to do in the second half.

As the third quarter came to an end the Kings continued to trail 90-87 but had made up some ground in the quarter. They went into all-important fourth quarter, where the Kings have time and time again come up big.

Sacramento battled throughout the fourth quarter taking the lead with 38 seconds left on the clock. De’Aaron Fox, the NBA’s number one clutch player, came up big giving the Kings a 112-107 lead. The Bulls tied up the game with 12.1 left in the game. Again it was Fox who delivered the final blow with yet another shot from downtown to finish off the Bulls.

Fox finished the game with 32 points and as we have seen over and over this season Domantas Sabonis had yet another double double with 14 points and 17 rebounds. Fox turned out the lights in Chicago shooting a three with 0.7 left in the game for the game winner. Malik Monk finished with 19 points off the bench.

Thursday night the Kings continue their road trip traveling to Brooklyn to take on the Nets at Barclays Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors and Clippers battle for fourth spot tonight in Southland

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the second half  at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Mar 11, 2023 against the Milwaukee Bucks (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 Dave talk about Stephen Curry who virtually single handedly helped Golden State (36-33) come back during the overtime game against the Milwaukee Bucks (50-19) on Sat Mar 11th.

#2 Dave it was a fourth quarter where the Warriors came back and tied the score after going back and forth with the Bucks in the first three quarters. The Bucks are one if not the toughest customers in the NBA and the Warriors were able to pull off a win.

#3 The Warriors head to the Southland to face the Los Angeles Clippers (36-33) at Crypto.com Arena on tonight who are coming off a 106-95 win over the New York Knicks (39-30). The Clippers led by Kawhi Leonard have won five of their last ten games. How do you see this match up?

David Zizmor does the Golden State Warriors podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Buck Rumblings: Giannis nets 46 points Milwaukee in 9 pt win over Sac 133-124

The Milwaukee Bucks Giannis  Antetokounmpo (34) drives past Sacramento Kings forward Chimezie Metu (7) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Mar 13, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (40-27) were back in action on Monday night in Sacramento. The Kings were coming off an off day on Sunday after defeating the Phoenix Suns for the first time on Saturday night in Phoenix. The Kings played a great game on Saturday to defeat one of the best teams in the West. The win was a big statement for the Kings in the standings to keep pace in the Western Conference. On Monday, the best team in the NBA rolled into town to take on the Kings. That, of course, would be the Milwaukee Bucks (49-19) and Giannis.

GAME RESULT: In the first quarter, it was all Kings and Giannis. The Kings had a typical Kings showing on the offensive end of the floor as they scored 32 points in the first quarter. The Kings starters started hot, scoring 27 of the 32 points in the first. For the Bucks, Giannis was the only Buck with more than two points, as he scored 15 in the first quarter. The Bucks would almost certainly heat up on offense, and the Kings would look to keep them on earth. 

In the second quarter, the Kings continued to build their lead. The Kings were having their way on the offensive side of the court in the first half on Monday night. The Kings scored 30 in the second quarter en route to a nine-point 62-53 lead going into halftime. The Bucks scored 26 points in the second to try and stay in the game. Giannis was leading all scorers in the first half with 21 points doing everything in his power to keep the Bucks in reach. 

In the third quarter, it was all Bucks. The Kings offense struggled, and the Bucks took advantage of the weak Kings defense to roar back and take the lead. Led by Giannis, the Bucks scored 37 points in the third quarter to take a 90-87 lead going into the final quarter of play. In the third, the Kings only managed to score 25 points as fewer shots were falling for them. The Kings were showing little signs of life headed into the fourth. They would need a massive offensive fourth quarter to win the game. 

In the fourth quarter, the Kings battled but weren’t able to get the win. Giannis and the Bucks were just too much to handle. The Kings couldn’t handle the dominance of Giannis inside and ultimately lost the game. The Kings and Bucks showed their intensity in the final 15 seconds as Trey Lyles, and Brook Lopez got into it.

When the game finally ended, the Bucks secured a 133-124 victory. If not for Giannis, Domas Sabonis would have been the player of the game. Sabonis amassed a 23-point,17 rebound, and 15 assist night to lead the Kings. On the other hand, Giannis scored 46 points with 12 rebounds. It was a good game that showed the Kings heart, but they ultimately couldn’t finish the job after a dominant first half. 

Up Next: The Kings travel to take on the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday at 5 PM PST.

Warriors lead wire-to-wire to beat Suns 123-112; Golden State picks up 8th consecutive home victory

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, left, makes a 3-point basket against Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first half at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Mon Mar 13, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (36-33), coming off an exciting win over the Milwaukee Bucks (37-31) last Saturday, did not have a let down as they defeated the Phoenix Suns 123-112 Monday night at the Chase Center. The Suns had beaten the Warriors three times earlier in the season.

The Warriors wanted to win this game. Both teams were missing key players due to injury. The Suns’ Kevin Durant was out with an ankle injury. The Warriors did not have Jonathan Kuminga available, either. 

There’s a saying in the NBA that a team cannot win a game with a great first period. Teams can lose a game by not playing well. Behind Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry, the Warriors raced out to an early 43-21 lead. Thompson led the Warriors with 18, and Curry added 12.

JaMychal Green, coming off the bench, pitched in with seven. The Suns got their offense going in the second quarter. Devon Booker and DeAndre Ayton started making buckets, and the Suns were able to win the quarter 37-32 to cut the deficit to 17, 75-58. 

As NBA fans know, many teams can overcome a 17-point deficit in the second half. The Suns needed to continue to play well on defense and get the Warriors to commit fouls. The formula worked. The momentum shifted to Phoenix for most of the third quarter. Thompson, who had 33 points in the first half, did not score in the quarter.

The Warriors made bad passes and turned the ball over several times. The Suns did not take three-point shots. They drove the ball to the basket. The Warriors committed four fouls early in the quarter, allowing the Suns to get to the free throw line. The Suns closed the gap to three, 87-84.

Curry’s bucket put the Warriors ahead 90-84. Jordan Poole knocked down a three to make 93-84. The Warriors finished the third period leading by ten, 98-88.

Poole came to life in the fourth quarter. Poole hit a three to put the Warriors ahead by 14, 110-96. The Warriors offense kept the pressure on the Suns. Poole made a three and a two-pointer to give the Warriors a 16-point advantage, 118-12. Curry made a three to put the Warriors in the driver’s seat, 123-106. The Suns scored the last six points of the game in garbage time.

Game Notes: The Warriors won their eighth straight at the Chase Center. They are 29-7 at home. The Warriors improved to 36-33. The Suns fell to 37-31.

Thompson paced the Warriors with 38 points. Thompson had 33 in the first half and five in the second. Thompson recorded eight threes. Curry’s line was 23 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, and he made four threes. Poole had 20 points, and he made four threes.

Draymond Green had four points, six rebounds, and four assists. Early in the fourth quarter, Draymond made an easy bucket when the Phoenix defense thought he would pass the ball. Draymond turned, and there was no one in his way and made the slam to give the team a 12-point lead. 

Booker led the Suns with 32 points. Booler did not make a three. The other big gun in the Suns’ offense, DeAndre Ayton, had a double-double with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Chris Paul had a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists. Josh Okogie also had eleven.

The Warriors, who are 7-26 away from the Chase Center, begin a five-game road trip starting Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. They play the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, The Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. It will be the last back-to-back games of the year for the Warriors. They meet the Houston Rockets on Monday, the 20th, and the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, the 22. The Warriors return home to host the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, the 24th. 

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors get a big win in OT against Bucks

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, right, shoots against Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr., left, and center Brook Lopez during the first half at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Mar 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Warriors lost the last three games on their recent road trip to the Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, And Memphis Grizzlies.

#2 The Warriors still needed the services of Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins has been gone for almost a month with family matters. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said that as much as he would like to have Wiggins back, it needs to be clarified if he returns before the season ends.

#3 Kerr had to find a way to beat the Milwaukee Bucks (48-19). The Bucks entered the game with the best record in the Eastern Conference. However, the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo was out due to a wrist injury. One team wanted to snap a three-game losing streak.

#4 With about two minutes left to play, the Bucks led by eight. Milwaukee was killing the Warriors from behind the three-point arc. Joe Ingles, Jrue Holiday, and Jevon Carter were making threes. The Warriors’ Stephen Curry got hot in the fourth quarter, and he kept the Warriors close.

#5 The Warriors host the Phoenix Suns at the Chase Center Monday night. The Suns will be without Kevin Durant. Durant sprained an ankle and will be out for a month. The game will start at 7 pm.

Barbara Mason podcasts Warriors basketball Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Barnes leads with 19 pts in Kings third straight win over Suns 128-119

Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) pressures Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) during the first half at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Sat Mar 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the Sacramento Kings (40-26) traveled to Phoenix to take on the Suns (37-30). It was a battle between the second and fourth place teams in the Western Conference. The Kings picked up their third straight win 128-119.

The Kings fell behind early in the first quarter trailing 17-6 at 6:53. As the first 12 minutes came to an end, the Kings had made up a lot of ground trailing by a single point 32-31.

The Kings started the second quarter on a great note tying up the game at 36 in the early minutes of the quarter. The Kings would take the lead with nine minutes left in the half 39-38 and continue to maintain a slim lead throughout the remainder of the second quarter.

As the quarter wound down Sacramento extended their lead. They had turned the slow start around and led at the half 67-59. The Kings went to the line 26 times in the first half, forced turnovers and outshot the Suns from downtown 38% to the Suns 22%.

After two quarters the Kings bench was outstanding collectively scoring 37 points. De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis and Harrison Barnes each had 8 points in the opening half.

The Suns began to chip away at the Kings lead in the third quarter. At 3:29 Phoenix took the lead 85-81. Sacramento had some untimely turnovers and empty possessions. With under three minutes left in the third the score was tied at 85. The Kings held onto a slim one point lead after three quarters 96-95. Malik Monk had 15 points going into the fourth quarter. He was three of four from downtown and was a huge part of the Kings lead.

The Kings have the best offense in clutch situations and they would go on to prove just that. This game continued to see-saw with both teams trading the lead. With seven minutes left the score was tied at 105. With 1:22 left in the game the Kings were clinging to a one point lead 119-118. Fox made a 17 foot jump shot to push the lead to 121-118 with 58 seconds left on the clock. Kessler Edwards hit a three-point jumper to seal the win 128-119.

Sabonis was terrific on the pick and roll defense. He finished the game with 8 rebounds and 15 points. The clutch player on the floor tonight and quite frankly almost every night Fox had 18 points and six assists. The bench was a huge part of this win with 65 points. Seven Kings scored in double digits in this game. The Kings just punched they’re 40th win of the season.

Monday night the Kings will be challenged as they take on the Milwaukee Bucks at Golden 1 Center. The Bucks come into this game after losing in overtime to the Golden State Warriors Saturday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM