{"id":50014,"date":"2023-05-01T06:30:26","date_gmt":"2023-05-01T10:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=50014"},"modified":"2023-05-01T01:09:54","modified_gmt":"2023-05-01T05:09:54","slug":"warriors-kings-game-7-stephen-currys-splashes-dash-kings-playoff-hopes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/05\/01\/warriors-kings-game-7-stephen-currys-splashes-dash-kings-playoff-hopes\/","title":{"rendered":"Warriors-Kings Game 7: Stephen Curry&#8217;s Splashes Dash the Kings&#8217; Playoff Hopes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2022\/10\/18\/top-nba-players-2022-23-2-stephen-curry\/\" target=\"_self\"><b>Stephen Curry<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> continues to stake his claim as the best player in the league. The reigning <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2022\/06\/16\/warriors-claim-2022-title-over-celtics-nba-finals-recap\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finals MVP<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> led the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/warriors\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Golden State Warriors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to a 120-100 victory over the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/kings\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sacramento Kings<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Warriors will go on to face the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/lakers\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Los Angeles Lakers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the second round of the playoffs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Curry was brilliant all game but saved his best for the fourth quarter, where he led a six-minute run that expanded Golden State\u2019s lead from 10 to 22 and effectively ended the game.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">All Steph&#39;s buckets from his 50-point Game 7 performance \ud83d\udd25 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/SzrczXVnRB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/SzrczXVnRB<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ESPNNBA\/status\/1652825531065171969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 1, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do the Warriors match up against the Lakers? And what comes next for the Kings?<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Warriors-Kings Game 7: Stephen Curry&#8217;s Splashes Dash the Kings&#8217; Playoff Hopes<\/h2>\n<h3><b>Stephen Curry Starts Strong During a Back-and-Forth First Half<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The song of Game 7 started with familiar notes. There was the deafening Sacramento crowd; rest for star guards <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/f\/foxde01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>De\u2019Aaron Fox<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and Curry midway through the first quarter; and the most entertaining basketball of any series so far in the playoffs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There were surprises in the first quarter as well. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/huertke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Kevin Huerter<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> made his first three after largely struggling in this series before the second half of Game 6. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/moodymo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Moses Moody<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was the first sub off the bench for Golden State, along with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/poolejo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Jordan Poole<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Great offense beat good defense in the first quarter as Sacramento carried a slim 31-30 lead into the second quarter. Both teams shot 5-13 from three in the first, suggesting an offensive battle would ensue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Luckily for us, the shootout continued (for two more quarters, anyway). The Warriors were forceful attacking the paint in the second quarter when <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lylestr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Trey Lyles<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> came in for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sabondo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Domantas Sabonis<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a leftover adjustment from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/04\/29\/warriors-kings-game-6-deaaron-fox-stars-as-the-kings-force-game-7\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Game 6<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0 The Kings balanced aggression and unselfishness. They pierced the Golden State defense to earn eight free-throw attempts (making five) after entering the bonus with 6:30 left in the second. They also displayed gorgeous ball movement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SacramentoKings\/status\/1652771036923064322\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/twitter.com\/SacramentoKings\/status\/1652771036923064322<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/daviste02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Terence Davis<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> paired solid defense on Curry with three second quarter threes, while <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wiggian01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Andrew Wiggins<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> earned six physical points in the paint and the foul line. Both teams maintained a breakneck pace throughout the first half. The Kings overcame Curry\u2019s 20 first-half points to march into halftime up 58-56. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Golden State Gains Separation in the Third<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Warriors built momentum with countless offensive rebounds and second-chance points. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/looneke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Kevon Looney<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> channelled prime Moses Malone with seven (!) offensive rebounds alone in the third quarter. Curry continued his brillant play by relentlessly attacking the rim.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">CURRY WITH THE CIRCUS SHOT \ud83d\ude31 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/gjOhvhjxNG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/gjOhvhjxNG<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; ESPN (@espn) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/espn\/status\/1652784086799515648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 30, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fox was already off to a slow start given his lofty standards, and his fourth foul with 7:15 left in the quarter put the Warriors in the bonus. Despite the dominating start, Golden State went 7-16 on free throws in the third and missed a number of layups to keep the game close.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sacramento would (temporarily) make the Warriors regret those missed opportunities. The Warriors held a 78-66 lead with 3:27 in the quarter, but the Kings stabilized with Fox\u2019s return to the game. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/monkma01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Malik Monk<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> had the crowd roaring with a late and-1 layup, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/thompkl01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Klay Thompson<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> answered with an incredible four-point play. Golden State ended the period up 91-81.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">FOUR-POINT KLAY <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7zfVNysBZM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/7zfVNysBZM<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBCSWarriors\/status\/1652791077093646336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 30, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><b>Stephen Curry Explodes<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are times when attempting to wax poetic with flowery prose can actually distract from an incredible performances. Sometimes, a player so thoroughly dominates that the impact can be felt through the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/game\/gsw-vs-sac-0042200167\/play-by-play?period=Q4\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">play-by-play<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. To that end, here are the first nine scoring plays of the fourth quarter, with links to video via NBA.com:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10:47: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/events\/?CFID=&amp;CFPARAMS=&amp;GameEventID=622&amp;GameID=0042200167&amp;Season=2022-23&amp;flag=1&amp;title=Curry%2014%27%20Pullup%20Jump%20Shot%20(36%20PTS)\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Curry 14&#8242; Pullup Jump Shot<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9:10: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/events\/?CFID=&amp;CFPARAMS=&amp;GameEventID=636&amp;GameID=0042200167&amp;Season=2022-23&amp;flag=1&amp;title=Curry%203%27%20Driving%20Layup%20(38%20PTS)%20(D.%20Green%205%20AST)\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Curry 3&#8242; Driving Layup<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8:23: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/events\/?CFID=&amp;CFPARAMS=&amp;GameEventID=651&amp;GameID=0042200167&amp;Season=2022-23&amp;flag=1&amp;title=Fox%2010%27%20Turnaround%20Fadeaway%20(16%20PTS)\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Fox 10&#8242; Turnaround Fadeaway<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8:07: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/events\/?CFID=&amp;CFPARAMS=&amp;GameEventID=652&amp;GameID=0042200167&amp;Season=2022-23&amp;flag=1&amp;title=Curry%202%27%20Driving%20Reverse%20Layup%20(40%20PTS)%20(D.%20Green%206%20AST)\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Curry 2&#8242; Driving Reverse Layup<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7:46: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/events\/?CFID=&amp;CFPARAMS=&amp;GameEventID=656&amp;GameID=0042200167&amp;Season=2022-23&amp;flag=1&amp;title=Curry%2027%27%203PT%20Step%20Back%20Jump%20Shot%20(43%20PTS)\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Curry 27&#8242; 3PT Step Back Jump Shot<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7:18: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/events\/?CFID=&amp;CFPARAMS=&amp;GameEventID=664&amp;GameID=0042200167&amp;Season=2022-23&amp;flag=1&amp;title=Wiggins%2017%27%20Pullup%20Jump%20Shot%20(15%20PTS)\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Wiggins 17&#8242; Pullup Jump Shot<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6:40: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/events\/?CFID=&amp;CFPARAMS=&amp;GameEventID=669&amp;GameID=0042200167&amp;Season=2022-23&amp;flag=1&amp;title=Curry%2019%27%20Floating%20Jump%20Shot%20(45%20PTS)\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Curry 19&#8242; Floating Jump Shot<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6:23: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/events\/?CFID=&amp;CFPARAMS=&amp;GameEventID=671&amp;GameID=0042200167&amp;Season=2022-23&amp;flag=1&amp;title=Sabonis%202%27%20Layup%20(18%20PTS)%20(Davis%202%20AST)\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Sabonis 2&#8242; Layup<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5:56: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/events\/?CFID=&amp;CFPARAMS=&amp;GameEventID=680&amp;GameID=0042200167&amp;Season=2022-23&amp;flag=1&amp;title=Curry%203PT%20Jump%20Shot%20(48%20PTS)%20(D.%20Green%207%20AST)\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Curry 3PT Jump Shot\u00a0<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Six field goals, including two threes, in just over six minutes. This type of run has defined Curry\u2019s greatness throughout his career. The suddenness and unpredictability with which he imposes his will on the game is unmatched in NBA history. In just over six minutes of game time, a back-and-forth 91-81 contest turned into a 107-85 blowout. Sacramento was helpless to respond, and the Warriors will face the Lakers in the second round.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Curry\u2019s final line: 50 points (an NBA record in a Game 7) on 20-38 shooting, 7-18 from three, and 3-5 from the free throw line with eight rebounds, six assists, one steal, and just one turnover.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looney was the second-best player in this game. What he did in Game 7 is what he did all series: slowed Sabonis with physical defense, found open shooters in Golden State\u2019s motion offense, and dominated on the offensive glass. Looney had 10 offensive rebounds and 21 total; Sabonis finished with five defensive rebounds.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Warriors-Lakers Series Preview<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every fan of NBA basketball should be excited for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2022\/10\/11\/top-nba-players-2022-23-7-lebron-james\/\" target=\"_self\"><b>LeBron James<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> vs. the Warriors, Western Conference edition. The Lakers will be ready after beating Golden State three times in four tries this regular season. Of course, Curry missed two of the Warriors\u2019 losses while Wiggins missed the other. Golden State\u2019s lone win was in the first game of the season, well before the Lakers\u2019 roster-changing trade deadline moves.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first question for any Warriors opponent is, \u201cHow will they guard Stephen Curry?\u201d Expect <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/v\/vandeja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Jarred Vanderbilt<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to take the initial assignment, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2022\/09\/26\/top-nba-players-2022-23-17-anthony-davis\/\" target=\"_self\"><b>Anthony Davis<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to be up near the level of the screen without trapping or doubling. Darvin Ham is a true Mike Budenholzer acolyte who will want his perimeter players to chase the Warriors\u2019 shooters around screens with the bigs protecting the paint.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Davis had up-and-down performances against the Warriors <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.statmuse.com\/nba\/ask\/anthony-davis-stats-vs.-warriors-this-season\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this season<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. He burned them for 39 points on March 5th, but scored just 13 points on 5-19 shooting on Feb. 11th. Green and Looney will take turns guarding him, while Wiggins will most likely be glued to James.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This series could be decided by the free throw line, where these teams are polar opposites. The Warriors shot the fewest free throw attempts per 100 possessions in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/leagues\/NBA_2023.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">regular season<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (19.7), while the Lakers shot the most (26). The Lakers allowed the fewest number of free throws per opponent field goal attempts, while the Warriors finished 20th in the same stat. A Lakers\u2019 free throw parade could be difficult to overcome even with Golden State\u2019s three-point shooting.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What\u2019s Next for the Sacramento Kings<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Kings proved a bright future is in store at Golden 1 Center. Their preseason <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/leagues\/NBA_2023_preseason_odds.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">win\/loss betting odds<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> were set at 34.5 wins; they blew past that en route to 48 wins and a grueling seven-game series loss to the defending champions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2022\/05\/12\/what-kings-fans-should-expect-from-new-head-coach-mike-brown\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mike Brown<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> showed he was the correct hire at head coach. His system gave the Kings the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cleaningtheglass.com\/stats\/league\/summary?season=2022&amp;seasontype=regseason&amp;start=10\/1\/2022&amp;end=10\/15\/2023\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">top-rated offense in the league<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This wasn\u2019t a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cleaningtheglass.com\/stats\/team\/26\/team#tab-four_factors\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">great defense<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (25th in the league), but they demonstrated they were well-coached in the regular season by allowing relatively few offensive rebounds and free-throw attempts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most importantly, this young team can build on their chemistry next season and beyond. Fox (25 years old) and Huerter (24) are signed through the 2025-26 season, while Sacramento has team options to keep Murray (22) on roster through the same season. Sabonis (26) and Monk (25) are signed through next season, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mitchda01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Davion Mitchell<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019s contract is under team control through the 2024-25 season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bigger questions are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/barneha02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Harrison Barnes<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (30) and Lyles (27), both unrestricted free agents this offseason. Barnes struggled this series, most notably with the missed shot that cost the Kings <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/04\/24\/warriors-kings-game-4-stephen-curry-helps-golden-state-tie-the-series\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Game 4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/L0xKggLjBQg?t=512\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brown deemed Barnes \u201cirreplacable\u201d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> earlier in the series. GM Monte McNair will ultimately make the decision on Barnes\u2019 contract, but it\u2019s difficult to replace powerful 6\u20198\u201d wings who can defend and shoot between 37%-39% from three. Expect him and Lyles back next season. Lyles had unimpressive regular reason stats, but was essential in the playoffs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t expect drastic roster changes this offseason. Sacramento will hope to get better through continued improvement from Murray, or perhaps a breakout from developmental wing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/e\/edwarke02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Kessler Edwards<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. No matter what happens, Brown will be prepared to lead a Sacramento squad with deep playoff aspirations for the first time in roughly 20 years.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>The Last Word<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SacramentoKings\/status\/1652798962238357505\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/twitter.com\/SacramentoKings\/status\/1652798962238357505<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stephen Curry continues to stake his claim as the best player in the league. The reigning Finals MVP led the Golden State Warriors to a 120-100 victory over the Sacramento Kings. The Warriors will go on to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the playoffs. Curry was brilliant all game but [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4175,"featured_media":50015,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,25,29],"tags":[4759,664,3717,48],"class_list":["post-50014","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba","category-warriors","category-kings","tag-2023-nba-playoffs","tag-deaaron-fox","tag-mike-brown","tag-stephen-curry"],"modified_by":"Reese Kunz","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50014","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4175"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50014"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50014\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50015"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}