Warriors’ Dynamic Offense Unleashes Fury in Victory Against Kings
If the preseason serves as a harbinger of the regular season, then an exhilarating year awaits the Golden State Warriors. Following a dramatic buzzer-beater from Lindy Waters III in their opening game against the LA Clippers, the Warriors unleashed a potent offensive display to defeat the Sacramento Kings 122-112 in their second preseason outing.
Recent discussions have highlighted the Warriors’ ambition to enhance their three-point threat, particularly in the wake of Klay Thompson’s departure. On Wednesday night, they demonstrated their intentions by taking a staggering 52 attempts from beyond the arc, while only 30 shots came from inside the paint. Impressively, they converted 53.8% of those three-point attempts, underscoring the quality of their shot selection.
It took a few moments for Golden State to find its rhythm with a new starting lineup featuring Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green, and Kevon Looney, as Andrew Wiggins remains sidelined. The Kings, led by newcomer DeMar DeRozan, who was flawless with a perfect 6-for-6 shooting performance for 15 points, initially exploited the Warriors’ defense, hindering their rhythm on both ends of the court.
However, once the substitutes took the floor, the Warriors began to click, finishing the first quarter with a 31-27 lead.
The barrage of three-pointers soon commenced. Although DeRozan continued to impress early in the second quarter, Curry ignited his offensive prowess, and the momentum shifted. The Warriors unleashed a flurry of long-range shots; it was an encouraging sign when even Green hit two three-pointers in a single quarter! Buddy Hield was particularly dazzling, going a perfect 4-for-4 from three-point range by halftime. Nevertheless, a late surge from the Kings saw them leading 68-66 at the break.
Curry, Green, and Looney’s night ended at halftime, but the second-half lineup of Hield, Kuminga, Podziemski, Moses Moody, and Trayce Jackson-Davis brought renewed energy, quickly establishing a seven-point lead. The three-point barrage intensified, coming from nearly every player on the roster. With under two minutes left in the third quarter, the Warriors extended their lead to 12 points, entering the final frame with a 100-91 advantage.
Though it appeared the Warriors were poised for a comfortable victory, the Kings’ bench had other ideas. Sacramento mounted a formidable challenge midway through the fourth quarter, prompting head coach Steve Kerr to call a timeout with the lead dwindled to 109-106.
The timeout proved pivotal. The Warriors emerged revitalized, launching a decisive 13-0 run that secured their victory and maintained their undefeated preseason record.
Hield was a standout performer, contributing 22 points on an astonishingly efficient 8-for-9 shooting, including 6-for-7 from beyond the arc. Fellow newcomer De’Anthony Melton also adapted seamlessly to the Warriors’ system, tallying 16 points on 6-for-12 shooting (4-for-9 from three), complemented by five rebounds and three assists. Kuminga matched Melton with 16 points, shooting 6-for-11 overall and 4-for-7 from long range. Curry finished with 13 points, while Green added 10 points and five assists. Podziemski once again showcased his versatility, ending with eight points, four rebounds, eight assists, and two steals. Jackson-Davis led the team with a +22 rating, contributing eight points and six rebounds.
The Warriors will face the Kings again on Friday night, a rematch set for 7:00 p.m. PT, which will be broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area and NBA TV.
