Defeat! Warriors' Five Tigers with 76+21, Xiaosa with 22+13+7, Monk Sets Record, Western No. 8 Changes Hands
On January 6, 2025, Beijing time, the 18-win and 16-loss Warriors faced the 16-win and 19-loss Kings at home. The Warriors were playing back-to-back games, having defeated the Grizzlies the day before. The Kings had an advantage in terms of physical fitness, but Curry did not play yesterday, so his energy was not a concern. Who would win today's game? The Warriors were missing Kuminga, with their starting lineup being Curry, Schroder, Wiggins, Green, and Davis. The Kings were without Fox, with their starting lineup being Monk, Ellis, DeRozan, Murray, and Xiaosa.
In the first quarter, Monk, Murray, and Xiaosa started with a 7-0 lead. Green and Wiggins responded with three-pointers, while Ellis and DeRozan countered for the Kings, leading to a score of 12-6. Curry, Hield, and Wiggins scored points, followed by Monk scoring 5 consecutive points and Hert's three-pointer, creating an 8-point gap. Wiggins made a layup, but Ellis, Hert, and Xiaosa responded strongly, increasing the gap to 13 points. Curry hit a three-pointer, but Ellis, Xiaosa, and DeRozan responded even more powerfully, extending the lead to 18 points. Hield and Schroder scored, and Carter made 1 of 2 free throws. At the end of the first quarter, the Kings led 36-21.
In the second quarter, Carter made a jumper, giving the Kings a 17-point lead. Wiggins and Curry narrowed the gap to 13 points, but DeRozan made both free throws, maintaining a 15-point lead. Curry scored 8 points on his own, and Green hit a three-pointer, reducing the gap to 4 points. However, Xiaosa, Murray, and Monk went on an 11-0 run, bringing the lead back to 15 points. After a timeout, Wiggins and Looney scored, but Xiaosa, Monk, and Ellis continued to score, extending the lead to 23 points. Curry scored 5 consecutive points, but Hert and Carter responded, keeping the lead at 22 points. Hield hit a three-pointer, and DeRozan, Lyles, and Monk responded, ending the half with the Kings leading 75-51. Curry scored 15 points in this quarter.
In the third quarter, Murray dunked, giving the Kings a 26-point lead. Wiggins and Curry scored, but Monk scored 5 consecutive points, increasing the lead to 27 points. Wiggins, Green, and Curry scored again, but DeRozan, Xiaosa, and Hert responded, maintaining a 25-point lead. Li Keller, Green, and Moody scored, but Ellis, Hert, Carter, Monk, and Xiaosa responded strongly, extending the lead to 33 points. Moody hit a three-pointer, and at the end of the third quarter, the Kings led 105-75.
In the fourth quarter, Spencer and Looney scored, but DeRozan, Hert, and Lyles responded, keeping the lead at 33 points. Santos and Looney scored again, but Lyles and Ryan responded, maintaining a 34-point lead. With over 6 minutes left in the game, all suspense was lost, and the Kings ultimately won 129-99 against the Warriors.
Monk shot 9 out of 14 (5 out of 8 from three-point range) for 26 points, 3 rebounds, 12 assists, and 4 steals, setting a personal record for plus-minus value this season at +41. Xiaosa shot 10 out of 13 for 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists. Hert scored 16 points and 1 rebound, DeRozan scored 12 points and 1 assist, Murray scored 11 points and 4 rebounds, and rookie Carter scored 13 points and 7 rebounds, setting career records for points and rebounds.
Curry shot 8 out of 12 (4 out of 8 from three-point range) for 26 points and 7 rebounds. Wiggins shot 7 out of 13 for 18 points and 4 rebounds. Green scored 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Moody scored 13 points and 1 rebound. Looney scored 9 points and 5 rebounds. Schroder shot 1 out of 7 for 3 points and 2 rebounds, performing poorly.
After the loss, the Warriors dropped from eighth to ninth in the West, while the Spurs became eighth. The Kings, after their victory, remained eleventh in the West.