The Golden State Warriors are set to face the Sacramento Kings tonight in Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs’ first round. The defending champs made it to the postseason after quite a fair bit of struggle, mainly because of their poor road form. However, they have clinched playoffs once again, despite critics’ claims.
The Kings have enjoyed one of their best seasons in quite some time. After winning 48 games in the 2022-23 NBA season, they touched a new milestone. They last did that in the 2005-06 NBA season. De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis have been the standout players for the Kings, but the Warriors might bring a weapon of their own tonight.
Andrew Wiggins is expected to feature in the Golden State Warriors vs Sacramento Kings game tonight
For those who don’t know, Andrew Wiggins missed 23 games in a row for the Golden State Warriors this season. Although the reason was not revealed at the start, reports later mentioned that Wiggins was forced to be on the sidelines as his father, Mitchell Wiggins, went through an unnamed medical struggle.
Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins is cleared to play in Game 1 vs. Kings on Saturday, his first game since Feb. 13. Golden State is leaning toward Wiggins coming off the bench in a 20-to-25 minute playing time role, sources tell me and @anthonyVslater.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 13, 2023
NBA fans speculated during this time that his girlfriend, Mychal Johnson, had cheated on Andrew. She was quick to dismiss these rumors, but it certainly looks like Mychal wasn’t too impressed with the speculations. As far as fans are concerned, Andrew Wiggins is highly likely to make his NBA return tonight. Since it has been a while since he has set foot on an NBA court, there is a chance that he gets a 20-25 minute cameo.
Golden State Warriors injury report
- Andre Iguodala (out)
Golden State Warriors expected roster
- Stephen Curry
- Klay Thompson
- Draymond Green
- Kevon Looney
- Donte DiVincenzo
Sacramento Kings injury report
-
Matthew Dellavedova (out)
Sacramento Kings expected roster
- De’Aaron Fox
- Domantas Sabonis
- Harrison Barnes
- Keegan Murray
- Kevin Huerter
Both the Kings and Warriors have their squads at full strength for tonight’s game. There is no doubt that neither of the sides will back down from the fight tonight. The Warriors have a habit of outperforming their regular season numbers in the playoffs, as was the case in the 2022 NBA Playoffs. The Kings have the opportunity to stop them at the start, but can they get it done?
The Kings are slightly favored over the Warriors to take the win in Game 1 tonight
The NBA world is surely aware of the fact that the Warriors step up to the occasion when they are completely written off. They have done that in the past, and that could well be the case tonight as well. They enter the series as the underdogs, as surprising as that sounds, considering they are defending the title this year.
Experts believe that the Warriors could take the series, but not without a few narrow wins from the Kings. Tonight’s game might be won by the Kings, taking into account their recent form, and considering that it’s a road game for the Dubs as well. The last time these two sides faced just over a week ago, the defending champs won the game 119 to 97.
The Kings didn’t have De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis’ services that night but they are confirmed to feature tonight. The Warriors will have Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson lurking around the perimeter to take advantage of their shooting prowess, but the Kings are expected to put up a deadly fight with their dynamic duo.
