Golden State Warriors get CRUICAL 114-97 win over Sacramento Kings to cut series deficit to 2-1  

Stephen Curry scored 36 points, Kevon Looney tied his career high with 20 rebounds to go with nine assists, and the Golden State Warriors got right back into their first-round playoff series by beating the Sacramento Kings 114-97 in Game 3 on Thursday night . draw within 2-1.

With suspended star Draymond Green watching from home, the defending champions dominated without him, as they have so many times before.

The fiery forward was suspended without pay for stepping on the chest of Domantas Sabonis in the fourth quarter of Monday’s Game 2 at Golden 1 Center. The Warriors were also without key defensive stopper Gary Payton II after the guard fell ill on Wednesday.

Curry shot 12 for 25 with six 3s, while Andrew Wiggins added 20 points and seven rebounds for the Warriors, who were never behind and will now try to tie the best-of-seven series in Game 4 on Sunday, back on their home field at Chase Center.

Stephen Curry led the way for Golden State with 36 points, shooting 6-12 from beyond the arc

Kings star Domantas Sabonis loudly booed by Warriors fans when he touched the ball

Sabonis, who grabbed Green’s foot during the play in question, was booed at every chance.

The big man underwent tests that revealed a bruised sternum but was able to practice and play on Wednesday. He had 14 rebounds at halftime and 16 total to go with 15 points.

But Golden State’s stifling domestic defense led to some spectacular plays on offense.

De’Aaron Fox was 5 for 14 in the first half for 12 points, but finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Kings. Fox scored 62 in the first two games.

Jordan Poole – playing on a sore left ankle – started in place of Green and had 16 points and five rebounds, while the Warriors also counted on contributions from Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Donte DiVincenzo.

Looney, who led the NBA in offensive rebounds and played in his 218th consecutive game, pulled a keyboard from the offensive glass that led to Curry’s 3 to beat the halftime buzzer and make it a double-digit Warriors lead of 53-41.

Harrison Barnes added 17 points against his old team for Sacramento, whose fans were told to leave those noisy cowbells at home because they’re banned from Chase Center. Warriors fans were vocal in their own way with yellow ‘Gold Blooded’ t-shirts and pounding Thunderstix.

PG De’Aaron Fox led the way for the Kings and nearly had a triple-double in the losing effort

Draymond Green missed the game due to his suspension for stomping on Saboni’s last game

Leading up to Game 3, Golden State coach Steve Kerr shared his all-time favorite John Wooden quote with the team: “Be quick, but don’t rush.” That’s a mantra he challenged the Warriors to make better shots and be more careful with the ball to limit ball drift.

He felt like the Warriors had rushed and made casual turnovers, rushed to put on a play.

They seemed like their old selves in this one.

NBA Coach of the Year Mike Brown, who received a shipment of new Vans sneakers, warned of what could happen if his team failed at anything: “If we’re too confident, we’ll get our butts because these guys are champions.’

There Curry and Co. ensured.

Kevon Looney delivered great night work and dominated the glass with 20 rebounds