The Sacramento Kings secured a crucial victory over the Golden State Warriors with a 118-94 win, keeping their hopes alive in the play-in tournament. Keegan Murray led the charge with an impressive 32-point performance, supported by De'Aaron Fox's 24 points.
Sacramento's win sets up a matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, offering them a shot at clinching the eighth seed in the Western Conference and a return to the playoffs. This victory comes as a significant milestone for the Kings, who ended a 16-year playoff drought last season.
The Kings showcased their determination by avenging last year's Game 7 loss to the Warriors, displaying cleaner play and superior hustle on the court. The defeat marks the third time in the last five seasons that the Warriors have missed out on the playoffs, including two eliminations in the play-in tournament.
Golden State struggled with turnovers, surrendering offensive rebounds, and allowing open 3-pointers, a far cry from their dominant form during their championship-winning years. Star players Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry faced challenges, with Thompson missing all 10 field goal attempts and Curry being contained by Keon Ellis.
Ellis, an undrafted player who recently transitioned from a two-way contract, made a significant impact with 15 points and stellar defense. Harrison Barnes contributed 17 points, while Domantas Sabonis recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
The intense rivalry between the two Northern California teams culminated in a decisive victory for the Kings, who built an early lead behind Murray's sharpshooting. Despite a brief Warriors rally, Sacramento maintained control, with Ellis hitting key 3-pointers to extend their advantage.
The Kings' dominance in the fourth quarter sealed the win, propelling them to face the Pelicans in their upcoming matchup. Sacramento will look to reverse their winless streak against New Orleans, having lost all five regular-season games this year.
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