(CNN) The Golden State Warriors narrowly beat the Sacramento Kings in a playoff thriller, winning 126-125 to level the first-round streak 2-2.
Former warrior Harrison Barnes, who played a key role in the 2015 Golden State title run, missed a game-winning buzzer beater that would have given Sacramento a commanding lead in the series.
Warriors star guard Stephen Curry will have been more relieved than most to see Barnes’ three-point attempt.
With Golden State down to five with just 45 seconds left, Curry called a timeout without realizing his team was unable, resulting in a technical foul and returning possession to the Kings.
De’Aaron Fox and Steph Curry went toe-to-toe in a thriller.
Malik Monk made the free throw for the technical foul and then Sacramento star De’Aaron Fox, who has earned a reputation for big buckets at crucial moments this year, hit a three-pointer to close the gap to just one.
Curry then missed his next try, giving Barnes a chance to win the game, but the 30-year-old’s shot just went too long, sparking cheering scenes at the Chase Center.
“I’m not going to lie, I thought it was the smartest game in the world,” Curry said after the game, according to the NBA. “When I grabbed the ball and turned around and saw the trap I realized there were no real exits, instead of turning it over it’s kind of an exhilarating game but turns out it wasn’t.
“I looked over at the bank and everyone shook their heads, so it was an unfortunate situation in that regard. Luckily we got the win, but a good lesson on how important all those details are.
Malik Monk closed the deficit from the free throw line after Curry’s botched call.
“We know, but knowing about timeouts and knowing the situation, it was just an unfortunate sequence right there.”
But Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said he took responsibility for not making the situation clearer to Curry.
“We accepted the challenge and when the challenge was unsuccessful when we left the group, it’s on me,” Kerr said.
“I have to remind the lads that we have no more time outs and I didn’t say that and Steph wasn’t aware of it. That’s on me for not making that clear.”
Curry led the Warriors’ scoring with 32 points, assisted by Klay Thompson’s 26 and Jordan Pooles’ 22.
At the other end, Fox had a game-high 38 points with nine rebounds and five assists and was joined by rookie Keegan Murray, who had 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
The two teams play Game 5 in Sacramento.
The Kings may still have a slight advantage when the series returns to Sacramento for Game 5 on Wednesday.
Despite having one of the best home records in the league this season, Golden State has had one of the worst away records and has struggled on the road all year.
This young Kings team has also mastered the pressure of playing in the franchise’s first playoff series in 16 seasons and will be justifiably confident they can reclaim the lead on Wednesday.
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