Kings 124, Warriors 118: Devin Carter sets career high

The Sacramento Kings beat the Golden State Warriors 124-118 on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Golden 1 Center, with Devin Carter delivering a career-high 29 points to lead Sacramento in a game that swung sharply from half to half before the Kings regained control late.

Quarter-by-quarter breakdown

First quarter: Sacramento started efficiently and took a 32-27 lead after one quarter. The Kings were sharper early offensively, moving ahead by attacking the glass and creating enough perimeter looks to establish the pace at home.

Second quarter: The Kings added to their advantage in the second, outscoring Golden State 31-24 to carry a 63-51 lead into halftime. Sacramento’s offense stayed balanced, while the Warriors had trouble slowing the Kings’ rhythm for extended stretches.

Third quarter: Golden State answered with its best stretch of the night, winning the third quarter 38-19. That swing flipped the game, as the Warriors erased the halftime deficit and took an 89-82 lead into the fourth behind a more productive scoring period and better overall flow.

Fourth quarter: Sacramento had the final response, and it was decisive. The Kings outscored the Warriors 42-29 in the final period, turning a seven-point deficit into a six-point win. After giving up control in the third, Sacramento settled down, got timely baskets, and finished the game with its most productive quarter.

Key performers

Sacramento Kings:
Devin Carter was the standout for Sacramento with 29 points and nine rebounds in the best scoring game of his NBA career. Carter’s production gave the Kings a steady source of offense throughout the night. Nique Clifford led Sacramento with six assists as the Kings finished with 25 assists as a team. Sacramento also held a 49-36 edge on the boards, a major factor in a close final margin.

Golden State Warriors:
Brandin Podziemski led all Warriors scorers with 30 points and helped drive Golden State’s third-quarter turnaround. Draymond Green paced the Warriors with six assists, while Kristaps Porzingis led the team with seven rebounds. Golden State shot 48.1% from the field and 92.9% from the free-throw line, efficient numbers that nearly carried the visitors to a comeback win.

NerdSports Stat: Sacramento became the rare team to win despite being outscored by 19 in the third quarter, thanks to a plus-24 combined margin in the first, second, and fourth quarters and a 13-rebound advantage overall.

Game analysis

This game was defined by dramatic momentum shifts. Sacramento controlled the first half by consistently winning possessions, especially on the glass, and by building enough offensive balance to stay ahead. The Kings made 17 three-pointers and attempted 34 free throws, two indicators of an offense that found production in multiple ways.

Golden State’s third-quarter surge nearly changed the outcome completely. The Warriors scored 38 points in the period and looked far more comfortable offensively, turning a 12-point halftime deficit into a seven-point lead entering the fourth. With 30 assists on 39 made field goals, Golden State showed strong ball movement for much of the night.

But Sacramento’s fourth quarter was the difference. The Kings put up 42 points in the final frame, regained composure after the third-quarter dip, and used extra possessions from their rebounding edge to pull away late. Even with the Warriors shooting slightly better overall from the field, Sacramento’s 49 rebounds, 17 made threes, and 25 made free throws created enough offense to close the game.

Closing context

The win moved Sacramento to 22-59, while Golden State fell to 37-44. For the Kings, the result added a notable late-season performance from Carter, even as it also affected the team’s lottery positioning. For the Warriors, the loss was a missed chance to improve their record heading into the close of the regular season. These teams split the night’s momentum, but Sacramento came away with the stronger finish.

Frequently Asked Questions