Warriors Lose Tune-Up Game to Kings

Steph Curry and Kristaps Porzingis start strong, but Warriors fall to Sacramento 124-118

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:10am

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold colors representing the back-and-forth action of a basketball game, with the shapes and lines conveying the competitive spirit of the teams.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the energy and intensity of the Warriors-Kings matchup, hinting at the team's ongoing preparations for the postseason.Inglewood Today

The Golden State Warriors played their penultimate game of the season on Friday night, using it as a tune-up for the upcoming play-in tournament. While Steph Curry and the Warriors started strong, they ultimately fell to the lowly Sacramento Kings 124-118 despite a valiant third-quarter comeback effort.

Why it matters

This loss, while not overly consequential in the standings, provides a glimpse into the Warriors' preparation for the postseason. The team was looking to get its key players some playing time and work on chemistry, but the sloppy fourth quarter and inability to hold off the Kings raises some concerns about the team's readiness heading into the playoffs.

The details

The Warriors jumped out to an early 6-0 lead, but the Kings soon found their rhythm and built a 15-point halftime advantage. Golden State stormed back in the third quarter, tying the game and even taking a lead, but ultimately couldn't hold on as the Kings rallied late. Brandin Podziemski led the Warriors with 30 points, while Steph Curry had 11 points in his return to the starting lineup.

  • The game was played on Friday, April 11, 2026.
  • The Warriors' final regular season game is on Sunday, April 13, 2026 against the LA Clippers.

The players

Steph Curry

The star point guard for the Golden State Warriors, making his return to the starting lineup after an injury.

Kristaps Porzingis

The veteran big man for the Warriors, who started alongside Curry as the team looked to tune up for the postseason.

Brandin Podziemski

The Warriors' second-year guard, who led the team with 30 points off the bench in the loss.

Malik Monk

The Kings' veteran guard, who caught fire from three-point range to help Sacramento build a big lead.

Steve Kerr

The head coach of the Golden State Warriors, who used this game as a tune-up for the upcoming play-in tournament.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The Warriors will play their final regular season game on Sunday against the LA Clippers, which could serve as another tune-up before the play-in tournament begins.

The takeaway

While the loss to the Kings was disappointing, the Warriors' third-quarter comeback effort showed the team's potential when playing with energy and aggression. However, the sloppy fourth quarter and inability to hold off the undermanned Kings raises some concerns about the team's readiness heading into the postseason.