How Kings beat Warriors in Play-In Tournament: Steph Curry and ...

Sacramento, which lost Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter to injury, are starting Keon Ellis next to De’Aaron Fox. That gives Sacramento two credible defenders who specialize in ball pressure. And Keegan Murray’s been emphasizing his defense all season, so that’s three players who have the tangibles — for Fox and Ellis' quickness, for Murray's length — to be aggressive on the perimeter.

That’s a monkey wrench for the Warriors’ motion offense, which thrives on passing and movement. All season, those types of teams have given the Warriors fits.

Ellis picked Curry’s pocket for a break-away layup. Fox did the same to Wiggins — who was bringing the ball up to take the pressure off Curry. The Warriors were out of sync offensively as a result, turning it over five times.

When they got passed the first line of defense, they had success. The Kings don’t have a rim protector with Domantas Sabots as their center. But the Kings’ ball pressure prevented the Warriors from getting into their actions.

Chris Paul was supposed to be the antidote, but he’s been struggling under the pressure, too.