In a triple-double, Russell Westbrook gives the Kings a win against the Warriors!

Spared Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green, the young Warriors use this opportunity to shine early in the match. The pair of Jonathan Cummings (24 points, 9 rebounds) and Will Richard (30 points) scored 23 of Golden State’s 32 points, while the Kings, without Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine, lost eight balls to find themselves at -12 (32-20).

With DeMar DeRozan (25 points) and Dennis Schroeder shooting 4/13, the Kings rely on the Russell Westbrook-Drew Eubanks duo to stay in ambush (50-44). Moses Moody (28 points) and Jonathan Cumminga then revived their team, but the Warriors missed the mark. Three turnovers and a missed layup in the counter attack allowed Malik Monk (21 points) and Sacramento to end the half with the wind behind them (62-57).

Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan are game changers

Momentum remains on the side of the Kings after returning from the locker room. Westbrook and DeRozan go for points at the free throw line, and four consecutive points by Nick Clifford give Sacramento the advantage for the first time since the second minute of the match (67-66). Golden State then responds with three consecutive 3-pointers by Kuminga, Moody and Richard, but the Kings dominate at the end of the quarter. Jonathan Cumminga receives the 5th foul, the Warriors continue with loose balls and fouls, and the duo DeMar DeRozan – Malik Monk brings Sacramento to +7 (92-85).

The young Dubs appear to be on the verge of a breakdown, but Moses Moody sparks a 13-2 run, capped off by another game-winning layup by Will Richard, to give Golden State the lead with six minutes to play (103-102)! Dennis Schroeder (18 points) chose this moment to wake up. The MVP of Europe makes three consecutive three-pointers, and Sacramento outscores the opponent 11-0 in two minutes (115-104)! The Warriors get back within one possession with 50 seconds to play thanks to a 10-2 run, but Jonathan Cuminga fouls the tying ball and the Kings end up winning.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Kings experience makes the difference. Sloppy in the first half, the Kings relied on their veterans to pull out the win. Russell Westbrook’s intensity and triple trouble changed the face of the game, especially his offensive rebounds in the final quarter. DeMar DeRozan found his groove, drawing foul after foul in the third quarter and making nine free throws. Dennis Schroder caught fire in the final five minutes and scored 13 of his 18 points.

– Young warriors on AC. Despite the loss, Steve Kerr can be satisfied with Will Richard’s 30 points, 7 rebounds and 5 triples in his first career start, Moses Moody’s 28 points, Jonathan Cuminga’s 24 points and 9 rebounds and Brandin Podziemski’s near triple-double. Moreover, nine turnovers from the last two named, including four in the third quarter, allowed the Kings to reverse the trend.

– Makime Reynaud is solid. In the absence of Domantas Sabonis, the Stanford product got 15 minutes of playing time. The Frenchman scored 6 points and 3 rebounds, and was solid on both ends of the court. His coach, however, limited his playing time in the second half as the Kings managed to take control of the match.

How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.