With the hostile crowd shouting and Sacramento making a major push, the Golden State Warriors did what they have done so frequently over their dynasty.
They won a heartbreaking road game.
Stephen Curry scored 31 points, Draymond Green had his highest-scoring game in more than five years, and the Warriors won their first away game of the series against Sacramento 123-116 Wednesday night to take a 3-2 lead.
For the 28th straight playoff series, the Warriors won an away game.
“Over the last decade playing in a lot of big games, it’s definitely helpful,” coach Steve Kerr said. “They did a great job tonight of staying poised down the stretch when Sacramento made their run and really made some big plays in the last five minutes to seal it.”
Green returned to Sacramento after being ejected and suspended for jumping on Domantas Sabonis’ chest in Game 2.
Golden State can try to win the series on Friday night with a fourth straight home win.
Green stated the team has matured together. That crew must develop every year. This year was longer than usual. … We’re doing well.
The reigning champion Warriors demonstrated their road mettle that has been lacking this season. Golden State dropped the first two games in Sacramento before winning this one.
“This is a different team,” Kerr said. “What happened on the road in November, December, and January is irrelevant now. This club won a championship last year and won many road playoff games. Our boys did it tonight.”
After Curry’s layup, the Kings trailed by 12. Malik Monk scored 11 points in five minutes to cut the margin to one with little over four minutes left.
After Monk missed a game-tying 3 with 1:04 left, the Warriors pulled away.
Curry’s three-point play with 22.1 seconds left made it 122-114 after Andrew Wiggins’ turnaround jumper made it a five-point game.
Thompson scored 25, Wiggins 20, and Looney had 22 rebounds.
“Big night,” Curry remarked. “Everyone on the bench and floor feels accomplished. Work awaits. We needed it.”
Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox, Monk, and Sabonis each scored 21 points.
Fox took six shots in a scoreless fourth quarter, a record.
Coach Mike Brown replied, “Yeah, no doubt.” He showed toughness by being out there.
Fox started despite injuring the tip of his shooting hand index finger late in Game 4. With a finger splint, he made all three of his long-range shots in the first quarter to help Sacramento take a 10-point lead.
Thompson made three 3-pointers during a 12-0 run that gave the Warriors a 60-56 halftime advantage.
Guard Davion Mitchell described it as desperation. “Win or go home.” We must punch them first.”
OR DIRK?
Green scored 21 points, his most since March 17, 2018, against Phoenix. His colleagues compared his late fadeaway jumper to one of the greatest scorers.
Kerr claimed Green was compared to Dirk Nowitzki after the fadeaway. “Maybe the game’s biggest shot.”
TIP-INS
Warriors: Curry passed Magic Johnson (3,701) for fifth-place in playoff scoring with 3,727 points. Looney became the first Warriors player since Nate Thurmond versus Milwaukee in 1972 to have two postseason games with at least 20 rebounds. Golden State committed two fourth-quarter transition take fouls.
Kings: Sacramento went from 8 for 12 from 3-point range in the first quarter to 0 for 9 in the second—the most misses without a make in any period this season. The Kings shot 2 for 21 in the final three quarters.