Steph Curry scores 36, Warriors beat Kings 114-97 with no Draymond Inexperienced

Stephen Curry scored 36 factors, Kevon Looney matched his profession excessive with 20 rebounds to go along with 9 assists, and the Golden State Warriors received proper again of their first-round playoff sequence by thumping the Sacramento Kings 114-97 in Sport 3 on Thursday night time to tug inside 2-1.

As suspended star Draymond Inexperienced watched from dwelling, the defending champions dominated with out him as they’ve completed so many occasions earlier than. The fiery ahead was suspended with out pay for stepping on the chest of Domantas Sabonis within the fourth quarter of Monday’s Sport 2 at Golden 1 Middle. The Warriors additionally have been with out key defensive stopper Gary Payton II after the guard turned ailing Wednesday.

Curry shot 12 for 25 with six 3s whereas Andrew Wiggins added 20 factors and 7 rebounds for the Warriors, who by no means trailed and can now attempt to even the best-of-seven sequence in Sport 4 on Sunday again on their dwelling court docket at Chase Middle.

Sabonis, who grabbed Inexperienced’s foot in the course of the play in query, was booed at each likelihood. The massive man underwent exams that exposed a bruised sternum however was capable of apply Wednesday and cleared to play. He had 14 rebounds by halftime and 16 whole to go along with 15 factors. However Golden State’s smothering inside protection led to some spectacular performs on offense.

De’Aaron Fox was 5 for 14 within the first half for 12 factors however completed with 26 factors, 10 rebounds and 9 assists for the Kings. Fox scored 62 within the first two video games.

Jordan Poole – enjoying on a young left ankle – began in Inexperienced’s place and had 16 factors and 5 rebounds, whereas the Warriors additionally counted on contributions from Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Donte DiVincenzo.

Looney, who led the NBA in offensive rebounds and performed in his 218th straight recreation, corralled a key board from the offensive glass that led to Curry’s 3 to beat the halftime buzzer and make it a double-digit Warriors lead at 53-41.

Harrison Barnes added 17 factors in opposition to his previous group for Sacramento, whose followers have been advised to depart these noisy cowbells at dwelling as a result of they’re banned at Chase Middle. Warriors followers have been raucous in their very own proper sporting yellow “Gold Blooded” t-shirts and pounding Thunderstix.

Main into Sport 3, Golden State coach Steve Kerr shared with the group his favourite John Wood quote of all time: “Be fast, however do not hurry.” That is a mantra he challenged the Warriors to make use of to take higher photographs and be extra cautious with the ball to restrict turnovers.

He felt the Warriors had been in a rush and committing unforced turnovers, rushed to make a play.

They appeared like their previous selves on this one.

NBA Coach of the 12 months Mike Brown, who obtained a cargo of recent Vans sneakers, warned of what would possibly occur if his group let down even within the slightest: “If we’re overconfident we’ll get our behinds handed to us as a result of these guys are champions.”

Curry and Co. made positive of that.

E-40 IS BACK

Rapper E-40 returned courtside for Sport 3 fashionably late and trendy.

The hip-hop star whose actual identify is Earl Stevens alleged “racial bias” after being kicked out of Sport 1 at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Middle. He and the Kings put out a joint assertion Wednesday explaining there was a ‘miscommunication’ and mentioned it was an “unlucky misunderstanding” between each events.

“We’re OK, cannot complain,” he mentioned Thursday of being happy with the Kings’ response.

Curry and E-40 shared a celebratory embrace shortly after the ultimate buzzer as Curry made his approach to the tunnel.

TIP-INS

Kings: The Kings have been outrebounded 60-53. … Sacramento shot 11 for 46 on 3s. … The Kings made it to the free-throw line simply eight occasions within the preliminary two quarters and 23 for the sport.

Warriors: Wiggins had a memorable second-quarter sequence with a block then 3-pointer moments later. … Moody had a three-point play and dunk over a scorching 38-second stretch late within the third placing Golden State up 76-63 and completed with 13 factors. … In a quiet outing, Klay Thompson had 13 factors on 5-for-15 taking pictures however hit two well timed photographs down the stretch.