The Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings will go toe-to-toe in the final in-season tournament group game on Tuesday (Nov. 28.) The winner will likely progress onto the next phase of the tournament, with both teams eager to continue their bid for success. Golden State will be boosted by the return of Draymond Green from suspension.
When speaking to the media on Sunday (Nov. 26,) Green noted how he’s expecting a game-seven-level atmosphere. The Warriors and Kings have been developing somewhat of a rivalry in recent months, with Golden State knocking Sacramento out of the 2023 playoffs in game seven of the first round.
“I think it’ll be fun,” Green said. “A lot of fun. I think it will be a lot like game seven. The atmosphere. The excitement. The angst. The feeling that I’m expecting, it’s gonna feel like a game seven. Can never be certain until you get in the game and actually feel the environment…I expect it to be a very fun environment to play in.”
The Kings are 3-2 in their last five games. They will enter the game on the back of an impressive 124-111 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves and be confident of securing a victory over a Warriors team that has struggled for consistency to begin the season.
"I think it'll be a lot like Game 7."
Draymond is ready for the atmosphere surrounding the Warriors-Kings In-Season Tournament game on Tuesday in Sacramento pic.twitter.com/NlXCFBDde3
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 27, 2023
However, the Warriors have vast experience when it comes to high-pressure win-or-go-home situations and will likely look to lean on that throughout the game. Green’s return to the rotation will also give the Warriors a boost, and his presence could be a swing factor once the game is underway.