Stephen Curry Leads Warriors to Impressive Game 3 Win vs. Kings

Stephen Curry Leads Warriors to Impressive Game 3 Win vs. Kings

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at April 21, 2023 at 11:44 AM
  • The Golden State Warriors bounced back in style in Game 3, beating the Sacramento Kings 114-97
  • Stephen Curry scored 36 points but Kevon Looney stole the show with 20 rebounds and nine assists
  • The Kings struggled during the game but still lead the playoff series 2-1 ahead of Sunday's Game 4

Reigning NBA champions, the Golden State Warriors bounced back in Game 3 against the Sacramento Kings, winning 114-97 without Draymond Green and Gary Payton II.

Green was suspended for Game 3 for stomping on Domatas Sabonis while Payton was ill.

Stephen Curry was on fire, scoring a game-high 36 points in front of an ecstatic crowd at Chase Center, although the Kings still lead the series 2-1.

Stephen Curry, Warriors, Kings, De'Aaron Fox
The Warriors are looking to even the series in Game 4. Photo by Ezra Shaw.
Source: Getty Images

Even without their two best defenders, the Warriors were superb all game. They committed 12 turnovers compared to 22 in Game 2, which resulted in 25 points for the Kings.

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Although Curry excelled, the unsung hero was center, Kevon Looney. He grabbed 20 rebounds (nine offensive) and dished out nine assists.

The Warriors bench also stepped up. They scored 25 points, including 13 from Moses Moody and six from Jonathan Kuminga. Donte DiVincenzo, who was poor in Game 2, finished with six points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and four steals, per CBS Sports.

Jordan Poole started in place of Green, scoring 16 points. Andrew Wiggins added 20 points in 34 minutes.

Meanwhile, Kings star, De'Aaron Fox finished with 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Domantas Sabonis had 15 points and 16 rebounds while their sixth man, Malik Monk had four points in 24 minutes.

Reactions from Warriors vs. Kings

Warriors players and staff spoke about the importance of winning Game 3.

Some also pointed out why suspending Green was a bad decision.

"Understanding how bad of a decision I think the league made on suspending him, you're frustrated with that. We have a job to do, and there's nothing we can do about it... We obviously understand the consequences of if we lost tonight, and nobody wanted to feel that," Curry said, via ESPN.

The two-time MVP also had some words for the NBA for suspending a key player for them.

"We did what we're supposed to do. They say Draymond's got a history, so do we. We know how to bounce back," he added, via USA Today.

Green and Payton are expected to be back for Game 4 as the Warriors look to even the series on Sunday.

Green's controversial moments

Sports Brief earlier reported on Green's most controversial NBA moments, which resulted in a suspension, ejection, or a fine from the league and team.

He was suspended for apparently hitting LeBron James in the groin in Game 4 of the 2016 NBA Finals, paving the way for the Cleveland Cavaliers' comeback.

Green, a veteran forward with the Warriors, also had altercations on and off the court with Steve Adama, Bradley Beal, and even his teammate, Jordan Poole.

Authors
Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.