Steph Curry dagger caps late comeback vs. Kings – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

SAN FRANCISCO – In a surprising announcement during his pregame press conference, Steve Kerr revealed that Kevon Looney would be unable to play against the Sacramento Kings due to illness. The Golden State Warriors coach also shared that rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis would be starting in his place, joining the star lineup of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Jonathan Kuminga. However, one notable name was missing from the group: Chris Paul.

This marked the first time in his career that Paul began a game on the sidelines, although it was just the preseason. As the game unfolded, it became evident that the Warriors were on their way to their fourth consecutive preseason win, thanks to the impressive performance of their other future Hall of Fame point guard.

In the closing moments of the game, with only 6.1 seconds left on the clock, Curry nailed a game-winning 3-pointer against De’Aaron Fox, propelling the Warriors to a 116-115 victory. Curry’s stellar performance included 16 points in the fourth quarter, 30 points overall on 10-of-18 shooting, and an impressive 8-of-12 from 3-point range.

Here are three key takeaways from this thrilling preseason win for the Warriors:

CP Sixth Man

For the first time in his career, Paul entered the game off the bench. Despite not starting, Paul wasted no time making an impact, as he and Dario Šarić were the first two players Kerr brought off the bench at the 7:51 mark in the first quarter. Although Paul didn’t score in the first quarter, his contributions were evident by halftime, with three points, five rebounds, and three assists to his name. Paul continued to play a crucial role for the remainder of the game, finishing with 13 points, nine assists, and six rebounds in just 30 minutes off the bench. His presence on the court during the final minutes was instrumental in the Warriors’ comeback from a 10-point deficit.

Šarić (Mostly) Shines

While much of the spotlight has been on the Paul-Kuminga duo, the chemistry between Paul and Šarić was clearly on display. The two players have experience as teammates in Phoenix, which has translated into a seamless transition for them on the court. Šarić showcased his skills alongside Paul, contributing five points, five rebounds, and two steals by the end of the first quarter. By halftime, he led the Warriors in scoring with 12 points, along with two assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Despite his strong performance, Šarić missed two crucial free throws with just 18 seconds remaining in regulation and the Warriors trailing by one point.

Rookie Double-Double

In this preseason game, it was Jackson-Davis who stood out among the Warriors’ two rookies. While Brandin Podziemski has received more attention, Jackson-Davis took advantage of the opportunity to showcase his skills. He recorded a double-double, with 13 points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes on the court. Despite committing five fouls, Jackson-Davis displayed his potential with his aggressive playing style. It’s clear that he will have a role on the Warriors’ roster this season, and his presence will be felt as his playing time increases.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast