Warriors vs. Kings score: Sacramento takes 2-0 series lead, puts Stephen Curry in uncharted territory

This is the first 0-2 playoff deficit the Warriors have faced since 2007

If you didn't know anything about the Sacramento Kings or the Golden State Warriors, nothing about their polar-opposite reputations over the last decade of NBA conversation, and you simply tuned into the first two games of this first-round series, you would have only one conclusion to draw: The Kings are a better team. 

Sacramento took a 2-0 series lead on Monday with 114-106 victory over the Warriors, who now face an 0-2 playoff deficit for the first time since 2007. That's 27 straight series, an NBA record, without ever once being in anything worse than an even series after two games. 

Heck, over this entire eight year, four-championship run, the Warriors never even lost a Western Conference series, period. They're in legit danger of going down here unless they summon some of that championship DNA we all love to act like is some sort of elixir dust. 

The good news for the Warriors is they have been splendid at home all season. But the Chase Center crowd isn't going to be enough on its own. The Warriors will have to play to the height of their potential. That's how good this Kings team is right now. There is no more room for error. 

De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis led the way for Sacramento with 24 points apiece. Malik Monk was again big. Davion Mitchell had 14 points and made Stephen Curry's life hell with his ball-pressure defense. 

Draymond Green was ejected in the fourth quarter for the Warriors for stepping on Sabonis's chest when they got tangled up after Sabonis wrapped up Green's leg from the ground, for which Sabonis was also assessed a flagrant one. 

Golden State got a few short stints of momentum going. Klay Thompson hit a couple late 3s and you thought the flurry might start. But the Kings were, and are, just too fast. They kept rushing the ball right back down the court and getting into the lane at will. While Golden State was having to work for every single inch of space, turning the ball over 22 times under immense distress, Fox and company got easy shot after easy shot -- again -- as better teams usually do. 

That't not to say Golden State is out of this. Or that Sacramento is actually the better team. But that's certainly what it feels like right now. Until we see something different, the Kings are in the driver's seat, and Golden State is in a world of trouble. 

[Apr 18, 2023 at 12:25 am ET · Brad Botkin]

Sabonis gets the flagrant one. Draymond flagrant 2, and he's ejected

[Apr 18, 2023 at 12:25 am ET · Brad Botkin]

I think this is a bad call on Draymond. But his reputation precedes him. Sabonis wrapped Green's leg up, and he lost balance. In an effort to not put his full weight down on Sabonis, he jumped. It looks like he's pushing off Sabonis and I;m sure there was a little extra in there, but Sabonis wrapped his leg up and that started the whole thing

[Apr 18, 2023 at 12:17 am ET · Brad Botkin]

Curry is rattled not getting his normal space

[Apr 18, 2023 at 12:12 am ET · Brad Botkin]

Kerr knows how crucial every chance to get some momentum going is. Early challenge here with Warriors having strung a few stops together