Kings vs Warriors Rivalry

From iconic NBA Finals clashes between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers to the intense playoffs face-offs battles of the Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons, NBA rivalries have defined eras.

NBA rivalries embrace regional pride, historical grudges and the relentless pursuit to outdo the opposition. These matchups shape narratives, making games a fun and thrilling spectacle, where iconic players and teams face off for a place in history.

Kings vs Warriors Rivalry

Geographical Proximity and Historical Tensions

The fierce rivalry between the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors is deeply rooted in both geographical proximity and historical tensions. The two teams share the Northern California region, with San Francisco and Sacramento located merely 86 miles apart.

Their rivalry dates back to 1985 when the Kings relocated to Sacramento from Kansas City, a move that stirred emotions among Warriors fans in nearby Oakland, who felt the Kings were encroaching on their territory.

Kings vs Warriors: Decades of Divisional Rivalry

The Warriors and the Kings are also in the same division. This resulted in a fierce Kings vs Warriors divisional rivalry in the Pacific Division, with the Warriors part of the division since 1970 and the Kings since 1988. This divisional rivalry has endured for three decades, resulting in intense regular-season matchups each season, creating an electric atmosphere whenever these two teams face off.

Kings vs Warriors Head-to-Head Stats

In terms of head-to-head battles, the Warriors hold the edge, leading the Kings 210 to 194 overall in regular-season games dating back to 1948. However, since the Sacramento Kings moved to the Pacific division in 1988, the Warriors have led 89-73 as of January 2024.

Evolution of the Kings vs Warriors Rivalry

The Kings vs Warriors rivalry witnessed different phases over the years. The 1990s saw relatively balanced competition, but in the early 2000s, the Kings emerged as a dominant force in the NBA and beat the Warriors consistently.

The dynamics of this rivalry shifted completely in the early 2010s when the Warriors, led by the Splash Brothers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson became perennial title contenders who also secured four NBA championships.

Klay Thompson’s Iconic Performance

In an out-of-the-world shooting display, Klay Thompson made history on January 23, 2015. He scored an insane 37 points in just one quarter against the Sacramento Kings.

In the first two-quarters of the game, Klay Thompson shot 3-of-9 from the floor, including 2-of-5 from deep. However, he transformed into a scoring monster in the third quarter. Klay’s third quarter against the Kings became the canvas for his masterpiece, a quarter that would forever go down in NBA lore.

Thompson’s scoring onslaught began with 9:45 left in the third period. First, he spun into a 12-foot jumper from the left wing and then a steal ignited a fast break, leading to a pull-up 3-pointer. From that moment on, Thompson took complete control of the game, and went berserk on the offensive end.

He ended up with a perfect 13-for-13 from the field in the third, including an incredible 9-for-9 from deep. This breathtaking performance established a new NBA record for the highest number of 3-pointers made by a player in a single quarter and the highest number of points scored by a player in a single quarter—an achievement that still stands, as of January 2024.

Kings vs Warriors 2023 NBA Playoffs Drama

In a culmination of 33 years of regular season rivalry, the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors met in the playoffs in 2023. The clash between the Kings, led by the dynamic duo of De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, and the Warriors, featuring Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, unfolded into a seven-game saga filled with drama and unforgettable moments.

For this first round matchup in the 2023 NBA playoffs, the Sacramento Kings enjoyed the advantage of the home court and set the stage for the series with a nail-biting victory in the Game 1, winning it by a mere three points. De'Aaron Fox showcased his brilliance with an impressive 38-point performance, while Malik Monk, coming off the bench, added 34 points, which resulted in the Kings win.

There was also an off-the-court drama in this game, as Vallejo-based rapper E-40 was ejected after a courtside altercation with a passionate Kings fan.

As tensions rose, so did the controversies. Game 2 witnessed a late-game altercation between Draymond Green and Domantas Sabonis. In a pivotal moment of the game, Green stomped on Sabonis’ stomach, resulting in his suspension for the crucial Game 3.

Despite missing Draymond Green, the Warriors bounced back with back-to-back wins on their home turf, tying the series at 2-2. Game 4 offered a heart-stopping moment as former Warrior Harrison Barnes, now with the Kings, had a chance to secure a 3-1 lead with a buzzer-beater. However, the shot missed its mark and the series remained even.

The pendulum swung back and forth as the teams exchanged wins, setting the stage for a decisive Game 7. With the series tied at 3-3, the Kings had a golden opportunity to clinch their first-ever playoff series in this historic rivalry.

Yet, the basketball world again witnessed the brilliance of Stephen Curry, who made history by dropping a staggering 50 points in Game 7 – the first time a player scored over 50 points in a Game 7.

Curry was supported by Kevon Looney's dominance on the boards, securing 22 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive glass. The Golden State Warriors emerged victorious in the final showdown, winning the series 4-3.

The intensity and excitement of this instant classic 2023 Sacramento Kings vs Golden State Warriors playoff series were reflected in the TV ratings as it drew the highest first or second round playoff viewership for the NBA since 1999.

Game 7 alone peaked at a remarkable 11.9 million viewers on ABC. The players left it all on the court, etching their names in the annals of NBA history and providing fans with a basketball spectacle that will be talked about for years to come.

Kings vs Warriors rivalry continues in the 2023/24 season

The 2023 pre-season matchup between the Kings and the Warriors served as an unexpected spectacle. In preseason games, teams usually try to get into the rhythm before the regular season, so star players usually see limited minutes. However, the encounter between the Kings and Warriors defied expectations as both teams went all out, and treated this preseason game as if it was a high-stakes playoff showdown.

The atmosphere in the arena mirrored the intensity on court, with fans rallying behind their respective teams. This playoff-like pre-season game was won by the Warriors, thanks to Steph Curry's clutch 3-pointers. This game gave fans a taste of the Kings vs Warriors rivalry even before the regular season commenced.

As the 2023/24 NBA regular season unfolded, the Kings and Warriors continued their battle. In a divisional regular season game on November 1, 2023, Klay Thompson sank a game-winning jumper. This marked “Kings’ Killer” Klay Thompson's third game-winning shot against the Kings.

However, the Kings weren't to be outdone. On November 28, 2023, in another tightly contested fierce game, Malik Monk emerged as the hero when he hit a game-winning contested floater. This victory was sweeter for the Kings as they secured a spot in the NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinals at the expense of the Warriors.

The 2023/24 season's early battles between the Kings and the Warriors not only showcased the individual brilliance of Curry, Thompson, Fox, Sabonis, and Monk but also emphasized the raw intensity and competitive spirit inherent in their storied Kings vs Warriors rivalry. With each matchup becoming a high-stakes affair, fans can anticipate more epic clashes in this intense Kings vs Warriors rivalry for years to come.

2024 NBA Play-In Game