Stephen Curry had a team-high 32 factors and the Golden State Warriors overcame a timeout violation within the last minute to carry off the Sacramento Kings 126-125 and draw even of their playoff sequence on Sunday afternoon in San Francisco.
The Western Conference first-round sequence is tied 2-2, with the house staff having gained all 4 video games. Game shall be Wednesday evening in Sacramento.
The defending champs led 126-121 and appeared to have the sport in hand when Curry had possession of the ball within the backcourt because the clock ran below 45 seconds remaining. But the Golden State star then requested a timeout — one the Warriors now not had out there — and was assessed a technical foul as Golden State misplaced possession of the ball.
Malik Monk made it a four-point sport by hitting the free throw, and when De’Aaron Fox buried a 3-pointer with 28.1 seconds left, the Kings had been immediately inside 126-125.
Sacramento then obtained the ball again when Curry missed a brief jumper. But after a timeout, Harrison Barnes misfired on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, permitting the sixth-seeded Warriors to tie the sequence.
The third-seeded Kings trailed 102-92 after three quarters however jumped proper again into the sport by scoring the primary seven factors of the ultimate interval. Domantas Sabonis and Davion Mitchell scored 2-point baskets and Keegan Murray bombed in a 3-pointer with nonetheless 10:43 to play.
The Kings took a quick 107-106 lead and had been nonetheless inside 121-119 after Fox made two free throws with 3:54 left. But Sacramento scored solely two extra factors till the timeout mishap, permitting the Warriors to construct sufficient of a lead after which maintain on.
Klay Thompson backed Curry with 26 factors for the Warriors, who out-shot the Kings 50 p.c to 47.1 p.c. Jordan Poole added 22 factors, Andrew Wiggins 18 and Draymond Green 12.
Returning from a one-game suspension, Green got here off the bench and nonetheless managed to finish a double-double with 10 rebounds to go together with seven assists.
Kevon Looney led all rebounders with 14 to enhance eight factors and 6 assists.
Fox was the sport’s main scorer with 38 factors and in addition gathered a team-high 9 rebounds for the Kings, who’re making their first postseason look in 17 years.
Murray got here up large with 23 factors, whereas Monk had 16, Sabonis 14 and Mitchell 12. Sabonis additionally chipped in seven rebounds, a game-high eight assists and two blocks.
