by The Golden State Warriors defeated the Sacramento Kings for the second time in three nights on Friday, escaping with a dramatic 109-106 victory and bringing their preseason record to an unblemished 3-0 record. But while wins are good and fun (and should always be celebrated), the win in this game wasn’t really the story, as it so often is in the preseason.
Instead, it was the story of the team’s fourth-year lottery picks popping up and out just ten days before the deadline for their rookie extensions.
Moses Moody, who shined across the board but was still at the end of Steve Kerr’s rotations, was given a chance to be in the starting lineup on Friday, joining Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Gary Payton II and Kyle Anderson in a strange and to form a creative starting lineup. It didn’t take long for Anderson to show off his new and improved jumper, as the Warriors’ first two shots were three-pointers from the freshman. But the Dubs were plagued by ball losses, as they have been for some time.
As the rotations began to change, the Warriors began to find some rhythm, but sloppiness abounded. The Warriors shot a brilliant 8-for-11 from distance in the quarter and had eight assists, but they turned the ball over six times… while Sacramento had no turnovers. Nevertheless, the hot shooting was enough to give us a 34:30 lead.
But the start of the second quarter was terrible. Sacramento went on a 7-0 run to start the frame, and All-Star De’Aaron Fox had three 3-pointers in the opening minutes while Green picked up his fourth foul. It seemed like an opportunity to miss the game, but Moody’s strong play helped keep the Warriors in the game, even when Curry left the game with a jammed finger (he’s reportedly fine).
Golden State’s sloppiness continued to show as they recorded another six turnovers in the second frame. This time the three-man teams couldn’t help them as they shot just 1-9 and trailed 58-55 at halftime.
The second half started terribly, with Curry still in the locker room, Green only playing a few minutes and De’Anthony Melton making his first appearance. The only bright spot in the opening minutes was that newly minted Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase was in the locker room alongside Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike, and that was a delight. Sacramento quickly built a double-digit lead as the Warriors played some pretty atrocious basketball.
But then Moody and fellow 2021 draftee Jonathan Kuminga not only started to catch fire, but also put a strain on the team. They were both aggressive, working downhill to get layups and trips to the free throw line, coming out in transition and also showing off their three-point jumpers. They got the team back into the game and the Dubs ended the quarter with an 11-2 run to pull within three points.
This energy continued into the fourth quarter, where the Warriors still exclusively used rotation players, unlike previous games. Moody still had an absolute performance, but the Kings seemed to be building a comfortable lead. Finally, with just over four minutes left and the Dubs down by six, Kerr pivoted deeper to the bench and brought the two-way player alongside Moody and Lindy Waters III. A few possessions later, Moody would also get out.
But the players at the back of the squad didn’t want Moody and Kuminga to undo their good performances. They kept things close and then tied the game with just over two minutes left. On the next possession, Gui Santos forced a missed jump with a great closeout, ran out, caught a perfect pass from Pat Spencer and finished the game off the dribble for a three-point play. With about 55 seconds left, the Kings came back and took the lead before a great hesitation led to a layup by Spencer with 42 seconds left.
After Sacramento blew a two-on-one (and, more importantly, missed the shot), Reece Beekman made two free throws to make it a three-point game with 16.7 seconds left. From there all that was needed was one final defensive attack and although Sacramento got off two shots from distance, neither looked good and the Warriors held on for a very fun win.
Moody finished the game with a game-high 23 points, shooting 7 of 13 from the field, 2 of 6 from distance and, perhaps most encouragingly, 7 of 8 from the free throw line while also grabbing three rebounds and play fantastic defense. Kuminga came off the bench for the first time this preseason but played his best basketball, keeping the Dubs in transition and scoring 19 points on just 5-for-8 shooting, including 3-for-4 from distance and 6-on -8. 10 from the free throw line. The Warriors must be thrilled that the fourth-year wings combined for 18 free throws and seven rebounds, which Kuminga knocked down.
Waters also had another strong game as he continues to make a case for a spot in the rotation. He shot just 1-for-5 and 0-for-3 from deep, but kept getting to the line, where he made all seven of his free throws. He also grabbed four rebounds and finished the game with a team-high +13.
Golden State will look to maintain its undefeated postseason streak on Sunday when they host the Detroit Pistons at 5:30 p.m. PT.
