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The Sacramento Kings defeated the Golden State Warriors 121-116 in a hard-fought Pacific Division game on November 5, 2025, at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
The game, which started at 10:00 PM ET, was a high-scoring affair marked by numerous injuries on both teams, forcing them to rely on their bench players and young talent.
DeMar DeRozan led the Kings with 25 points, while Russell Westbrook delivered a memorable performance off the bench, contributing points and key plays in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
For the Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga scored a career-high 32 points (12-for-18 from the field), but it wasn’t enough to compensate for the absence of key starters.
The game remained within ten points throughout the second half, with the Kings taking the lead late in the game with a 12-4 run fueled by DeRozan’s dominance from mid-range and Westbrook’s fast-break baskets.
Both teams shot well from three-point range (Kings 13-for-32, Warriors 12-for-30), but Sacramento’s advantage in free throws (22-for-25 to 18-for-22) proved decisive. The total points reached 237, exceeding the projected 227.5 points in a fast-paced, transition-heavy game.
Impact on standings and playoff position: This loss drops the Warriors to 5-4, falling to seventh place in the Western Conference.
It’s their first loss in their last three meetings against the Kings, ending a brief winning streak after a 2-2 start. For the Kings (now 3-5, 12th in the West), the win ends a three-game losing streak and provides a much-needed boost in the ultra-competitive Pacific Division, where they are just two games behind the Lakers.
In a conference where the top six teams are separated by only three wins, this result keeps Sacramento in the play-in race at the start of the season.
Consequences of injuries and rotation: The game highlighted the scarcity of injuries in the NBA, with both rosters depleted.
The Warriors were without Stephen Curry (illness) and Jimmy Butler (lower back strain), and Draymond Green (ribs) and Brandin Podziemski (wrist) had limited playing time or were absent, forcing them to rely on relatively inexperienced players like Buddy Hield (18 points off the bench) and Moses Moody.
This could affect Golden State’s veteran core during their upcoming road trip, which includes two consecutive games. The Kings were missing Zach LaVine (back) and Domantas Sabonis (ribs), as well as Keegan Murray (thumb), forcing DeRozan and Westbrook to take on more responsibility, which could take its toll before the game against the Clippers.
On the upside, the game highlighted young talent: Kuminga’s scoring explosion (including 16 points in the first half) indicates he’s ready to take on a bigger role, while the Kings’ bench outscored Golden State’s 58-42.
Overall NBA context: As one of the few nationally televised games on a Wednesday with few other games, the game drew criticism for its “backup squad” appearance due to absences, sparking debates about managing minutes and rest early in the season.
Betting activity was high, with the under 21.5 total points option failing miserably, and the over 21.5 points for Kuminga easily winning.
For the Warriors: The loss exposes the vulnerabilities of their revamped roster following preseason additions like Butler and LaVine (who didn’t play in this game).
Without Curry’s influence, Golden State’s offense stalled in crucial moments (4-for-12 from the field in the fourth quarter), raising questions about Kerr’s adjustments for a depleted rotation.
On the positive side, Kuminga’s aggressiveness (plus 8 rebounds and 3 assists) could accelerate his rise in the team hierarchy, potentially allowing him to start more often if veterans like Green remain injured.
However, two consecutive losses (following a close defeat to the Bucks) could affect team morale in a packed schedule with contenders like the Nuggets and Thunder next week. If the losing streak continues, an increase in trade rumors involving players at the bottom of the roster is expected.
For the Kings: The win injects momentum into an uneven start, validating Mike Brown’s gamble on bench versatility in the face of injuries.
DeRozan’s efficiency (10 of 16 from the field) reaffirms his All-Star caliber at 36 years old, while Westbrook’s 19 points and 7 assists off the bench (in just 24 minutes) remind everyone of his ability to reignite a game. The downside? Relying too heavily on veteran stars like DeRozan (now questionable for the next game with a minor ankle injury) could exacerbate the problems in the paint without Sabonis, the team’s rebounding anchor (the team grabbed only 42 rebounds).
This win might silence calls for roster adjustments, but it underscores the need for Murray’s early return to balance the scoring load.
Rivalry and Fan Impact: The always electrifying Northern California rivalry was dampened by absences, but still drew 17,608 fans and garnered high television ratings.
Warriors fans expressed their frustration on social media over the image of a nonstop game, while Kings fans celebrated the grit. Economically, it boosted local attendance (tickets dropped to $67 on the secondary market before tip-off), but the spate of injuries led to disputes over refunds.
Takeaways: This game was a microcosm of the chaos of the 2025-26 season: talent tested by injuries, young players stepping up in the absence of veterans, and a reminder that roster depth is key to winning in the West.
The Kings’ resilience gives them a confidence boost, positioning them as title contenders rather than last place, but sustained success hinges on player health, particularly Sabonis’ return to stabilize the paint.
For the Warriors, it’s a wake-up call to diversify their roster beyond reliance on Curry and Butler; Kuminga’s emergence offers hope, but another injury-plagued stretch could derail their title aspirations.
Overall, this rivalry is expected to intensify as rosters recover, with the next matchup in March on the horizon. In a league trending toward parity, games like this underscore why every possession—and every available player—matters.
