The Warriors lost Tuesday night in Sacramento due to two mistakes in the closing 44 seconds of the game. Malik Monk’s fadeaway banked jump shot cost the Warriors 124-123, blowing a 24-point lead they had in the first half. The Kings then emerged victorious from Group C of the in-season competition.

With 44 seconds left, the Warriors were ahead by four points. However, Steph Curry was fouled by Monk, who made a 3-point shot. Draymond Green passed the ball out of bounds on the following possession, setting up Monk for the game-winning score. The Warriors made eighteen mistakes.

It looked possible for the Warriors to win Group C of the in-season event until the second half. The Warriors would need to defeat the Kings by a minimum of 12 points in order to win Group C and move on to the in-season tournament, as the Minnesota Timberwolves victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier in the evening guaranteed. All of it was lost when the Kings made 42 free throws and the Warriors committed 31 personal fouls.

The Warriors’ 72 points in the first half of the game tied their season-high of 72 points in a half against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 3. Their biggest halftime lead of the year, a 17-point advantage, was more crucial to their cause. The third quarter was ruled by fouls, as the Warriors committed 11 fouls and the Kings overcame a nine-point deficit to tie the game.

Due to lower leg pain, Chris Paul exited the game late in the first quarter and did not return for the remainder of the evening. Gary Payton II hobbled off the field for the locker room at the end of the third quarter, favoring his right leg, and he never came back.

The Warriors’ next two games against the Los Angeles Clippers are scheduled for Thursday at home and Saturday away.