The Warriors bid farewell to their postseason aspirations after a resounding 118-94 defeat at the hands of the Kings in Sacramento on Tuesday. Despite their valiant effort, Golden State’s remarkable late-season surge wasn’t enough to break the Play-In curse, as they become the latest 10th seed to miss out on playoff contention.
The Dubs capped off their season with a commendable display, boasting a stellar 27-13 record in their final 40 matchups, including an impressive stretch of 17 victories in their last 22 away games.
KEEGAN MURRAY’S DOMINANCE Keegan Murray spearheaded the Kings’ onslaught with a blistering start, netting the team’s first nine points and tallying 11 of their opening 13. His early barrage, featuring three timely 3-pointers, outpaced the Warriors single-handedly, setting the tone for Sacramento’s commanding lead. Alongside De’Aaron Fox, who chipped in with eight points in the first quarter, Murray propelled the Kings to a nine-point cushion, matching the Warriors’ first-quarter tally of 22 points.
Murray (32 points) and Fox (24 points) emerged as the game’s premier scorers, combining for a formidable 56-point onslaught.
KUMINGA’S VERSATILITY ON DISPLAY Jonathan Kuminga showcased a newfound facet of his game, demonstrating versatility and astute decision-making on the offensive end. Despite his prowess in paint scoring and dunking, Kuminga unveiled a potent mid-range game, sinking three crucial jumpers in the first half. His savvy maneuvering, exploiting Domantas Sabonis’ defensive stance, allowed him to create separation and capitalize on hesitation pull-up jumpers.
Kuminga’s 10-point flurry in the final 4:21 of the second quarter fueled a Warriors resurgence, trimming a once-daunting 16-point deficit to a manageable four.
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SPLASH BROS STRUGGLE The famed Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, encountered a rough start, mustering just five points on a combined 2-for-10 shooting in the opening half. While Curry found his rhythm with an 11-point outburst in the third quarter, Thompson remained scoreless throughout the contest, finishing with a disappointing performance.
MOODY MAKES AN IMPACT Moses Moody provided a silver lining off the bench for the Warriors, delivering a stellar performance with 16 points on efficient 5-for-8 shooting in just 15 minutes of play. Despite the team trailing by as many as 26 points, Moody showcased his value with a positive plus-minus rating, particularly during a crucial second-quarter stretch that injected momentum into the Warriors’ efforts.
WHAT’S NEXT? With the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, the Warriors turn their attention to the upcoming NBA Draft, slated for a two-day affair on June 26 and 27, where they’ll look to bolster their roster for future endeavors.
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