Kings Blow 10 Point Lead Late, Fall to Warriors in Instant Classic

by Matt George – Sports 1140 KHTK Reporter

No lead is safe against the defending champion Golden State Warriors. Not even a 10 point lead with just over three minutes remaining. After going on an incredible run from late in the 3rd quarter into the final minutes of the game, the Sacramento Kings gave up a 16-2 run in the final minutes, falling to the Warriors in front of a rabid Golden 1 Center crowd, 130-125.

Brutal doesn’t even begin to describe it. The Kings hung around all game long, hot on the heels of Golden State, who scored 76 points in the first half alone. Kings never went away, coming back from a 14 point deficit and forcing the Warriors to work hard in order to maintain control. Defensively, the Kings were unable to string together stops until the fourth quarter, where they only allowed 11 points through nearly the first nine minutes.

“We battled like crazy coming from behind,” said head coach Dave Joerger, “They just got us with their experience at the end”.

To make matters worse, Kings rookie Marvin Bagley left the game early with a sprained left knee, which he suffered while going for a rebound. According to the Kings, he underwent an MRI which revealed a bone bruise.

Bagley had to be helped to the locker room pic.twitter.com/xppPSQBp4H

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) December 15, 2018

“…we’re getting in a little bad habit here – we’re going to have to start guarding,” said Joerger, pointing out the absurd amount of points Sacramento gave up early in the game.

De’Aaron Fox spearheaded the Kings’ run that gave them the lead, and had multiple chances to put the game away late. He finished the night with 25 points and nine assists. Buddy Hield led the Kings in scoring with 27.

“Definitely a great learning experience,” said Fox, “We made mistakes young teams make”.

As for the Warriors, they were led by a combined 95 points from their big three; Steph Curry leading the way with 35 points along with 33 from Kevin Durant and 27 from Klay Thompson. Thompson hit the big three to re-take the lead late and put Golden State back in the driver’s seat.

“Just wide open on the right wing and knew one was going to fall eventually. So never lose confidence, just keep shooting and that’s what happened” Klay said after the win.

The Kings look to bounce back with a another back-to-back on the road, in Dallas against Luka Doncic and the Mavericks Sunday followed by a rematch with the Timberwolves Monday.

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