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Northern California's alluring NBA rivalry: Warriors, Kings

By Victor Haltom | Last updated 10/10/24

Separated by a mere 86 miles, Sacramento and San Francisco are the host cities for the Kings and Warriors, two competitors with an intensifying and intriguing rivalry in the NBA's Western Conference.

Nearly 40 years ago — in 1985 — the Kings relocated from Kansas City to Sacramento.

The teams met in the postseason in April 2023, and the Warriors prevailed in a dramatic seven-game series. Ten-time All-Star Steph Curry led the way with a 50-point effort in the decisive Game 7 — which drew the highest television ratings in the 21st century for a first-round NBA playoff matchup.

The following April, Sacramento knocked off Golden State in the play-in tournament.

Games between the teams have featured tense moments and physical altercations, perhaps most notably when Draymond Green was ejected for stomping on Domantas Sabonis in the seven-game playoff series.

The bad blood in the rivalry is not limited to the players. Fans of the teams have been recorded brawling in footage prominently shared on social media by Shaquille O'Neal.

The Kings and Warriors are scheduled to meet four times during the 2024-25 regular season:

Jan. 5, 2025, in San Francisco
Jan, 22, 2025, in Sacramento
Feb. 21, 2025, in Sacramento
March 13, 2025, in San Francisco

This season will feature a blend of old and new storylines.

The Kings signed six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan in the offseason to add firepower to their dynamic offense.

DeMar DeRozan didn't miss in his @SacramentoKings debut #NBAPreseason

15 PTS | 6-6 FGM | 15 MINS pic.twitter.com/MMcHHR6evL
— NBA (@NBA) October 10, 2024

Seeking to ameliorate the loss of Klay Thompson, the Warriors signed Buddy Hield on July 6. A 6-foot-4 prolific yet inconsistent scorer, Hield played for the Kings from 2017 until 2022. His tenure with Sacramento was tumultuous at times. On one occasion, after he was benched, he publicly lashed out at coaches and teammates, claiming they had "trust issues."

Buddy Hield had the hot hand to lead the @warriors to the #NBAPreseason W in Sacramento

22 PTS | 8-9 FGM | 6-7 3PM pic.twitter.com/YonZved8Xl
— NBA (@NBA) October 10, 2024

Kings coach Mike Brown recently signed a three-year extension.

Sacramento coach Mike Brown has agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract extension through 2026-27 season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 1, 2024

Before taking the helm in Sacramento, Brown was an assistant coach for the Warriors under Steve Kerr from 2016 until 2022.

Will the season feature a third consecutive postseason meeting between the Northern California rivals?

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