The Sacramento Kings have bounced back from early-season struggles to record their fourth consecutive victory, defeating the Golden State Warriors 129-99 at the Chase Center on Sunday night. This win is particularly impressive as the Kings were missing leading scorer De'Aaron Fox due to injury, yet they displayed remarkable teamwork and individual talent.
Malik Monk was instrumental for the Kings, scoring 26 points and providing 12 assists. His contribution was even more impactful when considering his plus-minus rating of +41, underscoring his dominance on both ends of the court. Monk has thrived since stepping up as the starting point guard and has become the engine behind the Kings' offense. DeMar DeRozan praised Monk's performance postgame, stating, “He was real big. Especially without Foxy. Him coming out, being the point guard, handling the ball for us... That was big,” as reported by Brendan Nunes of Sactown Sports 1140.
From the get-go, the Kings established control of the matchup. They jumped out to an early 7-0 lead and never trailed throughout the contest. By halftime, the Kings had stretched their lead to 24 points, going up 75-51. The Warriors’ offense struggled markedly, committing 22 turnovers, which the Kings capitalized on, converting those mistakes to 34 points. This woeful performance echoed their prior game where they managed to dish out only 32 assists, with this outing being capped at just 22.
Despite the glaring shortcomings of Golden State, Stephen Curry put on his own display, scoring 26 points and grabbing seven rebounds. He did, nonetheless, commit four turnovers and failed to secure any assists during the game, which critiques claim was part of broader issues within the Warriors’ lineup. Andrew Wiggins also contributed with 18 points, but the lack of depth and turnovers led to their undoing.
Coach Steve Kerr expressed continued surprise over former assistant coach Mike Brown's recent firing. Brown, who led the Kings for a season marked by ups and downs, was dismissed following a disappointing start, and Doug Christie has since taken the helm as interim coach. The Kings’ recent success, characterized by back-to-back wins over playoff contenders, suggests the team is finding its rhythm at just the right time.
Despite being short-handed without Fox, the Kings have showcased their resilience, winning their last four games. They first topped the Dallas Mavericks, then staged a comeback against the Philadelphia 76ers, followed by defeating the Memphis Grizzlies, before their decisive win over the Warriors. Saturday had seen the Warriors, led by Curry, snap their losing streak against the Grizzlies, only to slump back down against Sacramento.
The game’s key highlights include Monk's electrifying play, which helped maintain the team's fast-paced identity as he consistently attacked the rim. The Kings made 10 of their first 17 shots, including five from beyond the arc, setting the tone early and frustrating Warriors fans who made their early exits amid chants of “Let’s go Kings!”
With the Kings firmly positioned within the playoff race and gaining momentum, they will host the Miami Heat for their next match-up. After falling to 18-17 with this defeat, the Warriors are faced with the urgent task of regrouping before facing off against the same Miami team two days later. The Kings, now shooting for the chance to rescue their season, appear to have clicked just as the postseason approaches.