https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/warriors-had-extra-drive-win-game-3-without-draymond-gary-payton-ii

Dray, GP2's Game 3 absence gave Dubs extra motivation to win

8H ago
by Tristi Rodriguez

The Warriors entered Thursday’s Game 3 matchup with the Kings down 2-0
and without two of their most important defenders.

Hoping to avoid the wrong side of NBA playoff history, Golden State’s
task of avoiding a 3-0 series deficit -- something no team has overcome
in the playoffs -- grew more challenging with both Draymond Green and
Gary Payton II out.

Instead of backing down and shriveling, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said
the team was extra-motivated to get the dub with the absence of their
defensive drivers.

“It was a fantastic effort by the group,” Kerr told NBC Sports Bay Area
after the Warriors’ 114-97 win at Chase Center. “I think they really
wanted to do this without Draymond and Gary. They wanted to prove
they’ve got what it takes, too.

“We had great individual performances from a lot of people. But it was
really just the whole group bringing the energy, the toughness that
allowed us to rebound. And then the intelligence of keeping possessions
simple and taking care of the ball.”

While Games 1 and 2 in Sacramento were back and forth and came down to
the wire, the Kings never had a lead in the third game of their Western
Conference first-round playoff series.

That’s a credit to the Warriors’ defense and physicality, of course, but
also to their star point guard Steph Curry, who had that look in his eye
that tells all without saying a single word.

“I saw the look on his face in huddles,” Kerr said. “He was breathing
and kind of meditating during timeouts, I could see how locked in he
was. He was terrific tonight.”

Curry erupted with a game-high 36 points on 12-of-25 shooting from the
field and 6 of 12 from behind the arc.

Unsurprisingly, he put the team on his back and at times tried to pump
the Chase Center crowd up. His “NBA Finals Steph Curry”-like performance
surely made that easy for Warriors fans.

Green, on his podcast the next day, thanked Curry for once again saving
him from public ridicule after the Warriors forward was suspended for
Game 3 after stomping on Domantas Sabonis’ chest in Game 2.

While Curry put the team on his back, Kevon Looney put it on his entire
body -- literally. His sacrifice and hunger for rebounds paid off in a
major way in the must-win contest as Looney grabbed 20 rebounds (nine
offensive) and nine assists.

"This is who Loon is," Kerr said. "He’s done this in so many playoff
games. He’s always locked into the game plan. He’s one of the smartest
players I’ve ever been around. He just never makes mistakes and he’s
become one of the best rebounders in the league. His defense, his
attention to detail, his connection with his teammates -- it’s pretty
incredible."

With the season at risk and a lot of pressure leading into the game,
Looney stayed level-headed and focused, per usual.

“Never, never," Kerr said when asked if Looney ever needs a pep talk.
"Loon is just a lunchpail guy. He just comes to work every day and never
misses a game, never misses a practice, never gets too high, never gets
too low. He is a coach’s dream.”

Golden State will have Green back for Game 4 on Sunday at Chase Center
and the Warriors hope to even the best-of-seven series.