SAN FRANCISCO — When the Warriors drove back down from the state’s capital earlier this week, an air of uncertainty surrounded the franchise. Many openly wondered if this was the beginning of the end of the dynasty.
Down in a 2-0 series hole for the first time in the Steph Curry era, Golden State was staring down the barrel of a 3-0 deficit – one that has proven to be insurmountable in NBA history. Draymond Green and Gary Payton II were sidelined for Game 3. The doom and gloom seemed to be crashing in on the Warriors.
They didn’t blink. Instead, they welcomed the challenge, smiling in the face of the odds.
After Sunday’s thrilling 126-125 victory over the Sacramento Kings, all is right is Dubs-landia again. The series is tied 2-2 and you might even argue that the Kings are on tilt as the series gets ready to head back up Interstate 80.
The Warriors have the momentum with two consecutive wins and history says they’ll have a decent shot at winning in Game 5. The past 27 Golden State playoff series have been marked by a road victory, dating back to the first round in 2013. Then again, these are the 2022-23 Warriors, with their 11-32 record away from Chase Center this season. Will the levee finally break in Sacramento on Wednesday?
Warriors center Kevon Looney said he thinks Golden State might have the psychological edge heading into Game 5.
"Sure. We got a lot of experience," Looney said. "Steph, Klay (Thompson) and Draymond have won a lot of big-time games when their backs were up against the wall and people didn't think they would. We know what it takes to win, but they're a great team, they've been great at home all year and they've got a great crowd. It's not gonna be easy."
All season long the Warriors have looked like a different team at home and Sunday was no different. Instead of crumbling in the fourth quarter like they’ve done so many times, they fended off a late surge from De’Aaron Fox and the upstart Kings.
The Chase Center crowd loves Steph splashes. Dub Nation goes wild for Draymond hustle plays. But there’s just another level when Klay connects with the Chase Center crowd.
The Warriors entered the final period with a 10-point lead after Klay splashed a last-second 3-pointer and danced his way back to the bench on one leg.
Led by the NBA’s most clutch performer, the Kings kept it within a one-possession game until the waning moments. Ultimately, the Splash Brothers did their thing like they’ve been doing the past decade. Steph and Klay each hit clutch 3-pointers in the last 4:10 of the game and the Warriors defense didn’t wilt under the pressure.
That's not to say it didn't get interesting.
Steph called a timeout that the Warriors didn't have with 42.1 seconds remaining and gifted a technical free throw to the Kings. After the game, Warriors coach Steve Kerr took responsibility for the blunder.
"It's on me," Kerr said. "I've got to remind the guys, we're out of timeouts. I didn't say that and so Steph wasn't aware. That's on me for not making that clear."
Fox (38 points) soon hushed the crowd with 27.7 seconds left when he hit a 3-pointer over Draymond’s outstretched hand to bring the Kings within one. The fans stood nervously on its feet at the next timeout after the Kings secured a Curry miss on the other end.
In a series that’s already been filled with drama – it came down to the last possession. As the clock ticked towards zeroes, Harrison Barnes launched a 3-pointer, but it rimmed out and the Dubs celebrated on their home floor.
"I was nervous," Thompson said. "Really happy Harrison missed it. He’s still my guy, but I was hoping he missed it really badly. Sometimes you need a break like that at this point of the year. It was just a gutsy win."
Steph finished with 32 points on 11-of-22 shooting (5-of-11 from 3-point land) and Klay posted 26 points on 9-of-15 shooting (4-of-9 from 3) to pace the Warriors’ scoring. Draymond chipped in 12 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists in 31 minutes off the bench, while Jordan Poole added 22 points and Andrew Wiggins scored 18.
Now Dub Nation can regain its breath before Wednesday’s pivotal Game 5.
"We know we have to win one in that building to get out of the series," Curry said. "Might as well be Game 5."
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