By Sam Amick, Marcus Thompson II and Hunter Patterson
The Warriors find themselves trailing 0-2 in a playoff series for the first time since 2007 after losing 114-106 to the Kings in Sacramento on Monday. Here’s what you need to know:
- An already boisterous Golden 1 Center erupted midway through the fourth quarter when Golden State forward Draymond Green was flagged for a flagrant 2 foul and sent off after stepping on Kings forward Domantas Sabonis. Sabonis first grabbed Green’s leg while he was on the ground and was given a technical foul.
- Initial x-rays on Sabonis’ ribs and lungs were negative, according to a team source. He will undergo further testing on Tuesday.
- Warriors star Stephen Curry led all scorers with 28 points and moved up to 18th all-time in NBA playoff scoring. He shot 9 of 21 from the field on Monday, including 3 of 13 from deep.
- Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox led Sacramento with 24 points apiece. Malik Monk had 18 points off the bench.
AthleticismInstant analysis of:
More discipline ahead for Green?
Green had eight points on 3-of-6 shooting in 31 minutes before the ejection. As the play was reviewed by the umpires, a lively green stirred the Sacramento crowd. The incident triggers the blatant run counter for Green, giving him two points, and he will be suspended for one game if he reaches four points.
With the Warriors in a serious hole here, we’ll be waiting to see if there’s an additional penalty coming from Green for his Sabonis kick. Coincidentally, NBA commissioner Adam Silver was present.
There’s an element of irony on that front, too, because the chief of all disciplinary action in the NBA today is former Kings manager and Pistons legend Joe Dumars, who serves as vice president. league executive, responsible for basketball operations. If I were to handicap him, I’d be surprised if Draymond was suspended. But I have already been surprised. — Amick
What else went wrong for the Warriors
The Warriors’ offense has been bottled up by a team that’s not at all known for defense. Golden State, through two games, is now 29 for 90 from behind the arc. The Kings are diligently overplaying on the perimeter — throwing two bodies at Curry, or running a box and one at him — and forcing the others to create an offense. The physique and aggressiveness of the Kings worked wonders.
The Warriors have had success inside, but they don’t follow the Kings’ offense without making threes. Curry was 3 for 13 against all of Sacramento’s attention.
The Warriors have struggled on the road all season, especially in times of crisis. Now their last chance in this series is to be dominant at home. Chase Center has been their saving grace this season. — Thompson
What worked for Sacramento
The importance of Davion Mitchell cannot be overstated. While he tallied 14 points and three assists, his biggest impact was defensive. Yes, Curry scored 28 points, but he also shot 3-for-13-for-3 and turned the ball over five times. Mitchell was instrumental in making life difficult for Curry and the rest of the Warriors on Monday night in 28 minutes.
Fox even complimented Mitchell’s defensive effort on him in practice, simply saying after the Game 2 win, “He’s made me better since I’ve been here.” — patterson
What they say
Green said he was told he was sent off because he stomped on Sabonis too hard.
“My leg was grabbed. Second time in two nights. … My leg has to land somewhere,” Green said.
Kings coach Mike Brown said the incident “definitely” deserved a Flagrant 2 for Green. “It will be interesting to see what the NBA does when they look at it,” he added.
The highlights of the game
Key stat
The Warriors had 22 turnovers and 26 fouls. They were outscored 12-5 in the final 2:54 of the game.
Required reading
(Photo: Cary Edmondson/USA Today)