Andrew Buller-Russ
NBA fans were treated to a masterpiece of a performance in Game 4 of the Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors playoff matchup on Sunday. From 2023 Clutch Player of the Year De’Aaron Fox flashing his ability to rise up with the game on the line, or two-time MVP Stephen Curry splashing in treys, to former Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green coming up with key stops, we saw exactly what makes both the Kings and Warriors special.
In a game that felt like it was destined to come down to the final possession, fans would witness that same scenario with the final seconds ticking off the clock, but not before a total of 251 points would be scored, with the Warriors winning 126-125.
It was clear who the stars of the show were at the Chase Center. This game was all about the All-Star point guards, with Chef Curry cooking up 32 points, including going 5-of-11 from 3-point range. But he wasn’t the game’s leading scorer.
Instead, it was Fox who dropped in 38 of Sacramento’s 125 points. While Fox had the game’s most points, it wasn’t an efficient night for the first-time playoff performer. He’d shoot 14-of-31 from the floor, adding six points via the charity stripe while sinking 4-of-11 attempts from distance. Yet, without Fox and his scoring boost, the Kings may not have only come within one point.
We also can’t ignore the inspiring performance from fourth overall pick Keegan Murray, who shot 69% from the floor, drilling 5-of-7 threes to emerge as Sacramento’s second-leading scorer with 23 points.
As well as the Kings’ stars played, despite winning the turnover battle and grabbing the same amount of rebounds as the Warriors, it wasn’t enough to take a 3-1 series lead.
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Golden State Warriors’ star core comes up in the clutch
This was in large part thanks to Curry’s effort, as mentioned above, but also thanks to the contributions of his fellow Splash Brothers. Klay Thompson had 26 points, shooting 4-of-9 from distance, and Jordan Poole added 22 more points.
The Warriors appeared to have the win in hand when Andrew Wiggins sank an eight-foot jumper with 85 seconds remaining on the game clock, up 126-121 as two more errant shots by Fox and Malik Monk left little hope left for Sacramento.
But after Curry got the ball with just 47 seconds left in a swarm of Kings players, the future Hall of Famer tried to call a timeout. Only the Warriors didn’t have any, leading to a technical foul and a turnover.
The Kings came roaring back, with Monk hitting the technical free throw and Fox later hitting a ruthless 29-foot-three over Draymond Green to pull the Kings within one in a 126-125 game.
Despite coming off the bench after returning from suspension for stomping Domantas Sabonis in Game 2, Green was the unsung hero in the game’s final moments.
Facing just a one-point deficit, Fox had his eye on getting to the left block, but he was met with Green instead, causing the Kings’ lead ball-handler to pick up his dribble, only to dish to Harrison Barnes, who was met by a leaping Curry with just two seconds on the clock. Barnes’ shot attempt from distance bounced off the back iron, allowing the Warriors to even the series at two wins apiece.
Game 5 heads back to Sacramento at the Golden 1 Center on Wednesday night. So far the home team has taken each game of the series. We’ll see if Golden State can buck the trend.
