The defending champion Golden State Warriors are in desperation mode. After falling behind 0-2 to the Sacramento Kings and losing do-it-all star Draymond Green to a one-game suspension for stomping on Domantas Sabonis after getting his foot grabbed, the Warriors need all hands on deck to avoid falling further into the hole against De'Aaron Fox and company. We'll provide live game and score updates throughout the Game 3 Warriors-Kings clash in a pivotal moment for the first-round series.
After a sluggish start on offense in Game 2, Sacramento caught fire in the second quarter to the tune of 41 points. Behind another strong showing from Malik Monk and bounce-back outings from both Kevin Huerter and Sabonis, the Kings built a lead as large as 14 points in the third.
Of course, Stephen Curry didn't let that differential last for long. By the 5:32 mark of the fourth quarter, the Warriors managed to even the score at 95 all.
Unfortunately for Golden State, that was just over a minute after the moment that defined the game, and potentially the series.
Without Green, the Warriors struggled to defend down the stretch and lost their rhythm on offense. The Kings scored at least a point on seven straight possessions, capped off by a dagger three-pointer by Davion Mitchell to put Sacramento ahead 112-103 with 1:17 to go. Mitchell's defense on the perimeter through the first two games has caused problems for Golden State's Hall of Fame backcourt.
Follow along with ClutchPoints as we provide live game and score updates from the third first-round matchup between the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors.
Warriors get back in series with dominant 114-97 W
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Stephen Curry goes off for 36 as the Warriors take down the Kings 114-97 to cut their series deficit to 2-1.
Warriors' lead back up to 18
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Every time the Kings threaten, the Warriors have pushed back on Thursday night, taking a commanding 95-77 lead after a deep Steph Curry three and a bucket by Jonathan Kuminga.
Warriors lead by as much as 18, but up 12 going to final frame
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The Warriors temporarily held an 18-point lead over the Kings in Game 3, but Sacramento went on a mini run to keep the game within range heading to the fourth.
Buckets on buckets to start third
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Shots are falling early in the second half, with the Warriors and Kings combining to make six straight shots before a timeout.
Curry sinks 3 to put Dubs up by 12 at the break
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Kevon Looney's 6th offensive rebound of the night gives Stephen Curry a second opportunity, which he drills to make it 53-41 Golden State at halftime:
Offensive woes
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The Warriors and Kings are both shooting a putrid 33.3% from the floor, but the Dubs' ability to force turnovers and get to the line has them ahead 45-35 as we near the half.
Here comes Fox
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De'Aaron Fox hits a pair of triples, but the Warriors keep their lead at 9 through the 7:15 mark:
Warriors with and without Steph
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Not really a shocker, but the Dubs sorely miss Curry's presence when he takes a breather against the Kings:
Warriors close out 1st on top 29-20
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After a Terence Davis 3-pointer cut Golden State's lead to three, the Warriors close out the period strong with a 6-0 run, capped off by a buzzer-beating scoop shot by Donte DiVincenzo:
Trey from Klay extends lead to nine
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The Kings call time after the Warriors attack the glass to create a second-chance 3-pointer for Klay Thompson, pushing Golden State's lead up to 23-14:
Up-and-down start to Game 3
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Shots weren't falling early for the Warriors and Kings, but Golden State began forcing mistakes by Sacramento to the tune of four turnovers to help jump start their offense. At the mid-way point of the first quarter, the Dubs lead 15-10.
Warriors fans shower Sabonis in boos
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The Dubs faithful make their feelings quite clear every time Sabonis touches the ball in Game 3:
Home sweet home
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In Stephen Curry's career, the Warriors are 54-15 at home in the playoffs.
Warriors take the court at Chase Center
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Gary Payton II inactive for Dubs
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The Warriors were already short-handed heading into Game 3, but now they'll also be missing one of their best defenders in Gary Payton II due to illness.
Jordan Poole to start Game 3 in place of Green
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With Draymond Green suspended for Game 3 vs. Sacramento, the Warriors will start Jordan Poole in his place, according to Shams Charania.
Could Embiid suffer same fate as Draymond?
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After Joel Embiid's kick of Nic Claxton, fans are questioning whether Embiid will receive a suspension like Draymond Green.
JJ Redick disagrees with Draymond Green's suspension
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The former sharp-shooter isn't a fan of the NBA's decision to suspend Green for Game 3: