The Warriors entered Thursday’s Game 3 matchup with the Kings down 2-0 and without two of their most important defenders.
Hoping to avoid the wrong side of NBA playoff history, Golden State’s task of avoiding a 3-0 series deficit -- something no team has overcome in the playoffs -- grew more challenging with both Draymond Green and Gary Payton II out.
Instead of backing down and shriveling, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said the team was extra-motivated to get the dub with the absence of their defensive drivers.
“It was a fantastic effort by the group,” Kerr told NBC Sports Bay Area after the Warriors’ 114-97 win at Chase Center. “I think they really wanted to do this without Draymond and Gary. They wanted to prove they’ve got what it takes, too.
“We had great individual performances from a lot of people. But it was really just the whole group bringing the energy, the toughness that allowed us to rebound. And then the intelligence of keeping possessions simple and taking care of the ball.”
While Games 1 and 2 in Sacramento were back and forth and came down to the wire, the Kings never had a lead in the third game of their Western Conference first-round playoff series.
That’s a credit to the Warriors’ defense and physicality, of course, but also to their star point guard Steph Curry, who had that look in his eye that tells all without saying a single word.
Golden State Warriors
“I saw the look on his face in huddles,” Kerr said. “He was breathing and kind of meditating during timeouts, I could see how locked in he was. He was terrific tonight.”
Curry erupted with a game-high 36 points on 12-of-25 shooting from the field and 6 of 12 from behind the arc.
Unsurprisingly, he put the team on his back and at times tried to pump the Chase Center crowd up. His “NBA Finals Steph Curry”-like performance surely made that easy for Warriors fans.
Green, on his podcast the next day, thanked Curry for once again saving him from public ridicule after the Warriors forward was suspended for Game 3 after stomping on Domantas Sabonis’ chest in Game 2.
While Curry put the team on his back, Kevon Looney put it on his entire body -- literally. His sacrifice and hunger for rebounds paid off in a major way in the must-win contest as Looney grabbed 20 rebounds (nine offensive) and nine assists.
"This is who Loon is," Kerr said. "He’s done this in so many playoff games. He’s always locked into the game plan. He’s one of the smartest players I’ve ever been around. He just never makes mistakes and he’s become one of the best rebounders in the league. His defense, his attention to detail, his connection with his teammates -- it’s pretty incredible."
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With the season at risk and a lot of pressure leading into the game, Looney stayed level-headed and focused, per usual.
“Never, never," Kerr said when asked if Looney ever needs a pep talk. "Loon is just a lunchpail guy. He just comes to work every day and never misses a game, never misses a practice, never gets too high, never gets too low. He is a coach’s dream.”
Golden State will have Green back for Game 4 on Sunday at Chase Center and the Warriors hope to even the best-of-seven series.