Kings hold on to beat Warriors in Game 1, record first playoff win since 2006

By Sam Amick, Marcus Thompson II and Hunter Patterson

The Sacramento Kings defeated the Golden State Warriors 126-123 in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs on Saturday. Here’s what you need to know:

• The Warriors led the Kings 61-55 at halftime. The Kings outscored the Warriors 71-62 in the second half en route to victory.
• Kings guard De’Aaron Fox led Sacramento in scoring with 38 points.
• The Kings’ win over the Warriors was their first playoff victory since 2006.

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

How the Kings beat the Warriors

The Kings have been a very strong 3-point shooting team all season long, finishing fifth in makes per game (13.8) and ninth in percentage (36.9). But you wouldn’t have known it for most of Game 1.

Outside of reserve big man Trey Lyles (who hit four of six), they couldn’t find a rhythm from distance until late. Starters Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter and Harrison Barnes were a combined 1-of-11.

But Barnes’ 3 with 2:29 left was big, putting the Kings up 122-116. Fox, who was spectacular and finished with 38 points, hit four of eight. — Amick

Evaluating Domantas Sabonis’ performance

The Kings need more from Sabonis, and it will be very interesting to see how Mike Brown and his staff adjust to this problem in Game 2. It wasn’t just that he finished with just 12 points, but that the Warriors — with Kevon Looney and Draymond Green teaming up on the job — were able to take away his heliocentric superpowers that had elevated their offense all season long. He had just two assists, well below his season average of 7.3 (a team high). — Amick

Evaluating Fox’s performance

Fox put on a masterclass in the second half, scoring 29 of his 38 points and tying the record for the second-most points scored in a playoff debut. He was 3-of-9 at the break and proceeded to shoot 10-for-18 in the second half.

This is consistent with what Fox has shown us all season long, seemingly a runaway favorite for the Jerry West Clutch Player of the Year award.

Scoring aside, Fox’s defensive intensity in guarding Steph Curry was huge. Although Curry had 30 points on the night, Fox did his best to limit Curry to just that. Fox ultimately made timely stops and was as disruptive guarding Curry as he could be.

When asked about his defensive job on Curry, his first comment was, “Have y’all seen that video of J.R. Smith talking about (Matthew Dellavedova) ? That s———’s real,”

All in all, this was a huge win, but the Kings will have to find a way to replicate this success Monday. — Patterson

Why the Warriors came up short

The Warriors punished the Kings’ aggressive perimeter defense for three quarters, taking advantage of the open back line. Sacramento was worried about Curry and Klay Thompson going off, so they pressed up way out pass the 3-point line. But once the Warriors got past it, they found success inside. They diced up the Kings and led by 10 points late in the third.

They were set up to really punish the…