What Warriors’ ugly win vs. Kings says about this season’s team – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors returned home to San Francisco after a tiring road trip, landing at 3:30 a.m. PT on Tuesday. Despite the fatigue, they were determined to take advantage of their rest before the game against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. The Warriors had a day off from practice and skipped the shootaround. The challenge was looming as the Kings were missing their star point guard, De’Aaron Fox, who had scored 39 points against the Warriors in their previous matchup. Steve Kerr referred to it as the “ultimate trap game,” a test for the resilient Warriors.

Unlike the previous season, the Warriors didn’t crumble under pressure. They showed resilience and determination in the first five games of the 2023-24 NBA season. This game against the Kings was no exception.

The Warriors found themselves trailing by five points going into the fourth quarter. But they fought back and outscored the Kings by six points in the final quarter, securing a 102-101 victory with a last-second jumper by Klay Thompson. Thompson had struggled throughout the game, shooting only 5 of 14 before that crucial shot.

Draymond Green acknowledged the challenge posed by the Kings and praised his team’s ability to never give up. He highlighted their resilience and the necessary plays they made to secure the win.

In the first half, the Warriors led by just one point. Neither team found their offensive rhythm, with the Warriors looking fatigued from their road trip. The third quarter, which had been the Warriors’ strength in recent games, didn’t go in their favor this time. The Kings outscored them by six points and took a five-point lead into the final quarter.

However, as the quarter progressed, the Warriors started to show signs of awakening. Dario Šarić played a pivotal role, making three crucial three-pointers in the quarter with assists from Chris Paul. As Steph Curry and Klay Thompson struggled offensively, Šarić stepped up and contributed 15 points off the bench.

The Warriors were trailing by three points in the final 72 seconds, but their swarming defense and competitive spirit kept them in the game. Thanks to their strong finish, Thompson’s heroics sealed the victory, sending the Chase Center into a frenzy.

Steve Kerr emphasized the importance of these close games in building confidence and learning valuable lessons early in the season. The Warriors showed that they can win even when their star power isn’t shining.

With this ugly, hard-fought win, the Warriors proved their ability to win in any situation. Regardless of the beauty of the game, the scoreboard is what matters. This victory will benefit the team in the long run.

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