NBA Game Preview: Golden State Warriors (37-43) vs. Sacramento Kings (21-59)

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Tipoff is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT
Venue:
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
TV/Streaming: NBCS-BA (Warriors local), NBCS-CA (Kings local), NBA League Pass (national)
Radio: 95.7 The Game / Sactown Sports 1140 AM (Kings), 95.7 The Game (Warriors)

This Pacific Division matchup features a Warriors team still mathematically alive for play-in positioning on the second night of a back-to-back against a Kings squad that has been eliminated from playoff contention for weeks. Golden State enters as a sizable road favorite despite injury uncertainty and fatigue.

Team Records and Standings Context

Golden State Warriors (37-43): 10th in the Western Conference, 15-24 on the road. They sit in the play-in mix but have been inconsistent away from Chase Center.

Sacramento Kings (21-59): 14th in the Western Conference (last in Pacific Division), 7-33 on the road. One of the league’s worst teams overall with a negative scoring margin.

The Warriors are fighting for every win down the stretch; the Kings are playing out the string.

Recent Team Forms (Last 5 Games)

Golden State Warriors (approx. 2-3 in recent stretch):
Snapped a four-game losing streak with a 110-105 home win over these same Kings on April 7 (Curry’s second game back). Followed up with a 119-103 home loss to the Lakers on April 9. The Warriors have shown flashes of competitiveness when healthy but have been hampered by injuries and a tough schedule.

Sacramento Kings (1-4 or worse recently):
Lost six of their last eight games entering this matchup, including the April 7 home loss to Golden State. The Kings have struggled mightily on both ends, particularly in transition defense and rebounding.

Injury Report

Golden State Warriors (significant absences and questionables):

Stephen Curry (G) – GTD (Knee management)

Kristaps Porzingis (C) – GTD (Knee soreness / illness)

Quinten Post (C) – Out (Foot)

Moses Moody (G) – Out (Knee / patellar tendon)

Jimmy Butler (F) – Out (Knee / ACL)

Al Horford (C) – Out (Calf / back)

Gui Santos (F) – Out (Pelvic contusion)

Will Richard (G) – GTD (Back)

Curry and Porzingis statuses are critical for Golden State’s spacing and interior presence on a back-to-back. Multiple key rotation players are already ruled out.

Sacramento Kings:

DeMar DeRozan (F/G) – Questionable (Hamstring)

Russell Westbrook (G) – Out (Foot)

Keegan Murray (F) – Out (Ankle)

DeRozan’s availability is the biggest question mark for Sacramento’s scoring punch; the Kings are already thin on talent.

Key Player Matchups

Stephen Curry (GSW, if active) vs. Sacramento backcourt (De’Aaron Fox / Killian Hayes): Curry’s gravity and off-ball movement remain elite even in limited minutes. Sacramento’s speed can harass but rarely contains him when hot.

Brandin Podziemski / Warriors wings vs. Maxime Raynaud / Kings frontcourt: Podziemski has been a bright spot for Golden State with efficient scoring and rebounding. Raynaud (Kings rookie big) has shown promise but faces a tough test against Golden State’s length.

Kristaps Porzingis (GSW, if active) vs. Domantas Sabonis / Kings bigs: Porzingis’ stretch-big ability could exploit Sacramento’s interior if he plays; without him, Golden State’s frontcourt thins considerably.

DeMar DeRozan (SAC, if active) vs. Golden State perimeter defenders: DeRozan’s mid-range game is Sacramento’s most reliable scoring option, but a questionable hamstring limits his burst.

Golden State’s superior talent (when available) gives them the edge in most individual battles.

Series History (2025-26 Season)

The teams have split recent meetings, with Golden State winning the most recent contest 110-105 on April 7 at Chase Center. Sacramento holds a slight edge in the season series earlier (1-2 entering that game), but games have generally been competitive. All-time, the Warriors lead the regular-season series significantly.

Betting Trends

Warriors are favored heavily on the road despite the back-to-back and injuries.

Kings are 3-2 ATS in their last five but have been poor straight-up.

Totals have varied; recent Warriors-Kings games have trended slightly under due to pace control.

Public money has leaned toward Golden State.

Game Odds

Golden State Warriors                   – 11.5

Sacramento Kings                            229.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 9, 2026