The Sacramento Kings challenged themselves to play with the identity that propelled them to this point in the first place: push the ball in transition, make all the hustle plays, and defend with ferocity. The Kings delivered whether Stephen Curry hit a big 3-pointer or drove for a driving layup to keep the momentum going. They repeatedly quieted a rowdy throng anticipating another postseason series victory.
Photo Cred: Cover.com
Malik Monk scored 28 points, De’Aaron Fox added 26 points and 11 assists, and the postseason-newcomer Kings avoided elimination in their first-round playoff series with a 118-99 victory over Curry and the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. Rookie Keegan Murray had 15 points, four 3-pointers, and 12 rebounds for his first playoff double-double, and the No. 3-seeded Kings withstood every scoring surge the defending champions made on their home court and shone in nearly every facet of this one with their special season on the line.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72231198/1486197177.0.jpg)
Photo Cred: Golden State of Mind
Kevin Huerter, who had struggled with his shot all series — 20 of 52 coming into the game — scored a 3 with 6:23 remaining and another with 4:58 remaining, giving Sacramento fans at least one more chance to cheer on the upstart Kings. Curry had 29 points, Klay Thompson had 22, and Kevon Looney had 13 additional rebounds to give him an NBA-leading 85 this postseason. He was coming off a career-high 22-rebound performance in a Game 5 victory at Golden 1 Center.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72228594/1485633013.0.jpg)
Photo Cred: Draft Kings Nantion
