Sacramento Cruises to Win over Nor-Cal Rival Warriors
Jan 6, 2020, 10:24 PM | Updated: 10:24 pm
Photo by: Kimani Okearah
With literally the entire Golden State Warriors starting five out with different injuries, the Sacramento Kings defeated their Northern California rivals 111-98 on Monday night thanks to 42 combined points from De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield.
“Good to get a win,” said Kings head coach Luke Walton, “Message is the same. Turnovers and free throw attempts, we did a nice job correcting that earlier in the season but now we are starting to foul a lot again and turn the ball over…we gotta correct that soon”.
Sacramento got a nice boost from Trevor Ariza, who scored 18 points, including four three-pointers, off of the bench.
The Warriors struggled shooting the ball all night long, but particularly in the second quarter. That frustration, combined with a non-call by the officials, led to an outburst from Golden State head coach Steve Kerr, resulting in two quick technical fouls and an ejection.
Sacramento rode a 38-24 third quarter to a game-high 31 point lead, where the Kings seemingly couldn’t miss from beyond the arc. They finished the night shooting 47.6% from the field and 50% from three, their second straight game shooting in the 50 percentile from deep.
Hield played 35 minutes, the most of any Kings starter, as Walton played every active player on the roster in preparation for Tuesday night’s meeting with the Suns in Phoenix.
Former King Willie Cauley-Stein made his return to Golden 1 Center after four seasons with Sacramento. He managed eight points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block in 26 minutes.
Richaun Holmes left the game mid-way through the third quarter with a right shoulder strain and did not return. According to Walton, he will travel with the team to Phoenix but there isn’t any word on if he will play or not.
