NBA playoffs live updates: Warriors head to Sacramento for Game 1
Saturday is the start of the first-ever playoff matchup between the NorCal foes.
To view the live updates on your mobile device click here.
GAME ESSENTIALS: Warriors (44-38) at Kings (48-34) at Golden1 Center, at 5:30 p.m. (PT). TV: ABC. Announcers: Mark Jones (play-by-play), Doris Burke (color commentary), Malika Andrews (sideline reporting).
ODDS: Kings -1.5. OVER/UNDER: 237.5.
SEASON SERIES: Warriors went 3-1 against the Kings in the regular season. ALL-TIME SERIES: Warriors lead 215-193. PLAYOFF HISTORY: None.
For the first time since the Kings franchise moved to Sacramento in 1985, the Golden State Warriors and the Kings will face off in an all-Northern California playoff series.
The Warriors and Kings will kick off the first round series on Saturday evening up in Sacramento, which has left the region palpably excited. Interestingly, it’s the defending champion Warriors who enter the series as favorites to win, despite Sacramento being the better team in the regular season and the favorite on Saturday.
For Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson (and Andre Iguodala, too, though he’s currently out), Saturday will kick off their pursuit of a fifth championship, which would put them in prestigious company that Thompson knows well.
One of the biggest question marks the Warriors have had coming into the playoffs was Andrew Wiggins, who missed two months because of a personal family matter. But Wiggins is set to return on Saturday and, while he’s likely to come off the bench, his return will be a welcome addition to a deep Warriors team.
Sacramento enters the playoffs for the first time in 16 years following one of the best offensive seasons in NBA history, led be De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Golden State’s answer defensively may be based around how well Kevon Looney, Donte DiVincenzo, Gary Payton II and Jonathan Kuminga can supplement the superstars.
It’s a series with two passionate and intense fanbases ready to build a true NorCal rivalry with each other. If the games on the court are as good as expected, it could be highly entertaining and a lot of fun.
Follow along with our reporters Madeline Kenney, Shayna Rubin and columnist Dieter Kurtenbach and other analysts providing their thoughts about the game.