Stephen Curry’s brilliance was on full display as he set a new NBA record by scoring 50 points in Game 7. He led the Golden State Warriors to a 120-100 victory over the Sacramento Kings and helped them advance to the Western Conference semi-finals. Curry shot 20 of 38, including seven three-pointers, and was ably supported by Kevon Looney, who grabbed 21 rebounds. This win came after the Warriors fell behind 2-0 in the series. The Warriors have become the first reigning champions to win a postseason series after losing the first two games.
Curry’s heroics were the difference between the two teams as he answered almost every big play made by Sacramento. His points tally is now the highest ever in a Game 7, surpassing Kevin Durant’s 48 points for the Nets.
Klay Thompson also had his moments. He hit a crucial long-range three-pointer and a four-point play in the third quarter when the Kings were threatening to mount a comeback.
The Warriors’ next opponents will be LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Game 1 of the Western Conference semi-finals is set for Tuesday night at the Chase Center. The Lakers’ season had started poorly, but they managed to turn things around and make the playoffs.
While the Warriors celebrated their victory, the Sacramento Kings’ season ended in disappointment. They had snapped a 16-year playoff drought to earn a No. 3 seed but couldn’t advance to the second round for the first time since 2004. Despite the loss, the Kings can be proud of the progress they made this season.
Going forward
The Warriors’ victory was a team effort, and they will need to continue playing as a unit going forward. Coach Steve Kerr was confident before the game, and his team lived up to his expectations. They were smart down the stretch, avoiding the wild undisciplined play that had plagued them in Game 6.
