The Golden State Warriors have one of the season’s most significant challenges ahead of them today. They’re heading to hostile territory and taking on their North Californian neighbors, the Sacramento Kings, in a win-or-go-home Game 7. Stephen Curry and co. failed to close out the series at home when the Kings came to town for Game 6.
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The Dubs suffered one of their worst playoff losses of the past decade, getting handed a 118-99 blowout.
Heading back to Sacramento, it’s the core trio of the Warriors – Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, who have to step up. Steph has been brilliant this entire series, averaging 31.0 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.3 rebounds. We’ve seen good games from both Klay and Draymond as well.
To win tonight, it has to be these three who have to step up and lead by example. From what Anthony Slater told us on the latest Warriors Plus Minus Podcast episode, we think those three know this too.
Anthony Slater talks about Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green after Game 6
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green have been together for 11 seasons now. During this time, they’ve won four championships, went through life-altering moments, and suffered career-ending injuries, but they did it all together. With Draymond’s contract situation unknown, many assume this might be the end of the trio together.
In the latest episode of the Warriors Plus Minus Podcast, Anthony Slater talked about how Steph, Dray, and Klay were there in the locker room, long after everyone had left. They were not saying anything but just sitting quietly. Slater felt like they were ‘summoning energy.’
From my interpretation, I guess they were trying to reflect on what went wrong in Game 6. They would have been reflecting, thinking of possible changes, and trying to get rid of negative emotions before stepping up and addressing the team. I’m sure the thought of this being the end of them together was nowhere on their mind, with their entire focus on Game 7.
As leaders, they need to show the younger players how to handle the pressure and get into the right mindset. They’ll have to set the tempo heading into Golden 1 Center, and they know it.
How have the Warriors fared in previous Game 7s?
During the time Steph, Klay, and Dray have been together, they’ve faced 4 Game 7s. The first one came in 2013-14, when they went to LA to face the Clippers. They ended up losing that Game 126-121, resulting in a round 1 elimination.
In 2016, they went through 2 Game 7s in consecutive series. In the WCF, they hosted the Thunder at home, beating Kevin Durant and co, completing a 3-1 comeback. However, in the Finals, LeBron James and the Cavs beat them in Game 7 at Oracle, resulting in their 3-1 comeback to win the 2016 Championship.
In 2018, the Warriors went to Houston for Game 7 of the WCF. Making their way back from down 3-2, the Dubs beat the Rockets and went on to win the title.
In short, the core trio has gone 2-2 in Game 7s and split the record, both at home and on the road. However, they have faced every situation and should use their experience to their advantage tonight.
