Warriors Donte DiVincenzo appeared to be attempting a step-back 3-point shot, but instead he performed a wicked hesitation move that resulted in a sky-high floater that went into the net just in time to beat the end of the first quarter on Thursday night.
Donte didn't have to do 'em like that 😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/JW3xbYBJN3
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 21, 2023
Steph Curry’s stunned response encapsulated a seamless sequence that had Warriors supporters standing. The Warriors needed a lot of guys to step it up against the Sacramento Kings, and Golden State got just that in their 114-97 Game 3 victory at Chase Centre with Draymond Green banned and Gary Payton II ruled out due to illness.
The Warriors won their opening game in this best-of-seven series by a margin of 17 points, and they’ll have at least one reinforcement for Sunday’s matinee of Game 4. The last-minute information that Payton couldn’t play surprised everyone. Green was forced to watch the game at home, but he made sure to let his teammates know the day before.
How the Warriors were able to win Game 3
“Nothing is necessarily certain going into the game, but Draymond did come to practise the other day and really talked to everybody saying everyone is going to have to step up, play more minutes, and take on some of his role,” said Moody.
Moody and DiVincenzo came off the bench first for Steve Kerr’s Warriors, and both had an immediate effect. Despite just scoring two points at the conclusion of the first quarter on 1-of-5 shooting, the versatile guard also had four rebounds, one assist, and one steal. DiVincenzo exudes enthusiasm and demonstrated this in 27 minutes of reserve time with eight rebounds, eight assists, and four steals.
In the first quarter, Moody hit two significant three-pointers for the Warriors, setting the stage for a big night for the second-year pro.
Moody didn’t participate for even a single second in the Warriors’ defeat in Game 1. He subsequently played for eight and a half minutes in Game 2 and put up a powerful, spirited effort, finishing with four points and five rebounds. With or without Green and Payton, he secured a solid position in the rotation for Thursday night thanks to that.
Moody contributed 13 points, three rebounds, and four field goals and three free throws for the Warriors in the final triumph while playing just under 16 minutes. Domantas Sabonis, the great centre for the Kings, finished the opening three quarters with 11 points. 13 were in Moody.
With those two three-pointers, Moses, according to Kerr, “really got us going in that first half.”
Moody hits a tough three 💥 pic.twitter.com/DeNBNj0J0k
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 21, 2023
Many believed Jonathan Kuminga would be the young Warrior whose position would expand the most as a result of Green’s absence from the game and Payton’s sickness, which further increased the need. The first quarter was spent by the 20-year-old sitting on the bench. His initial few moments weren’t very appealing.
Kuminga’s situation only got better after that. At this point, Warriors games frequently include his agility that sends people trembling. In 13 minutes off the bench, Kuminga was a plus-6, scoring six points and adding two rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
JK soars to the rim ✈️ pic.twitter.com/efuyiVzNVe
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 21, 2023
JK throws down the put-back pic.twitter.com/TVyZ0JkC20
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 21, 2023
But Kevon Looney was the one who truly owned the night. Not every game is highlighted by his contribution. He contributed four points to the Warriors’ rout, but he wasn’t at the top of the list of Warriors who made a crucial play.
He is what Kerr refers to as a “stabilising force.” The most recent proof of this was this.
Looney was under siege as Green and Payton were down. The Warriors centre responded to all inquiries that could have been made. Before Game 3, Looney and Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevi went over the tape with a focus on the big man using his skill set and positioning more effectively rather than ramming and pushing down low.
20 rebounds were obtained, with 9 being offensive and 11 being defensive. The Warriors were outrebounded by nine in the first two games of the series, while the Kings finished with 11 more offensive boards than the Warriors. In the Warriors’ victory, those figures were reversed: Golden State secured six more rebounds than Sacramento, including five more on the offensive glass.
You can sometimes enter a state of flow when rebounding, according to Looney. I sometimes feel like I know where the ball is going as a rebounder, similar to how Steph and those 3-point shooters do. Every time I touch it, it appears to go my way—tips turn, and many other things.
Looney’s rebounding assisted in the Warriors’ playoff comeback for the second consecutive postseason. After the club’s 39-point defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals, the experienced core and team leadership pleaded with Kerr and others to start Looney again. In response, Looney pulled down 22 rebounds—11 offensive and 11 defensive—to help the Warriors advance to the conference finals.
If he had been beaten up in the post and the Warrior had lost to the Kings by a score of three games to one, their season would have likely been gone, and who knows what may have occurred after that. He was responsible for the Warrior’ 24 second-chance points, which surpassed the Kings’ total of 12.
Looney’s excessive foul problems was unaffordable for the Warrior’ thin roster. He received a foul call 44 seconds into the game and did not receive another for the remainder of it.
Looney’s game wasn’t restricted to just one element. He also played more of a distributing role, as Green frequently does, and handed out nine assists, tying his career high. He led both teams in assist points with 23, with 23.
Curry added, “I know he cherishes those moments to make his presence felt in a very unique way. We needed every bit of it.
With their backs on the wall, the Warrior. Two of their best players were lost, which made the hole harder to climb out of. They have now developed a series that is supported by Curry’s 36-point onslaught and the ensemble that surrounds him.
Nobody can take Draymond Green’s position as a player. Nobody can take Gary Payton II’s position as a player. Many people made sure that their absences didn’t end the Warriors’ season.