Kings fans react on social media to Game 7 loss and reflect on memorable season. ‘So proud’
A dismal second half by the Kings and a 50-point game by Warriors star Stephen Curry sealed Sacramento’s fate.
Sacramento led 58-56 at halftime but unraveled in the third quarter, outscored 35-23 and outrebounded 22-9 by Golden State.
Many fans on Twitter immediately called the Kings’ third-quarter performance a “disaster.” A chyron on the NBC Sports California postgame show called the Kings loss a “collapse.”
But they also remembered the big picture: Sacramento managed to snap a 16-year postseason drought that marked the longest in NBA history, then took the series against the reigning champion Warriors to a full seven games.
“I’m proud of this team, every one of us,” center Domantas Sabonis said in a postgame press conference. “But obviously it stings today, because we did put ourselves in a position where we could have kept moving forward in the playoffs. So, we’ve just got to use this as motivation to keep building.”
Fans and city leaders were proud as well.
“I’m so proud of our team,” Sacramento City Councilwoman Katie Valenzuela tweeted. “They took Sacramento further than we’ve been in years, united and energized our city, and kept our skyline lit up in purple all season long. I believe more great things are to come from our #BeamTeam.”
Here’s how Kings fans and others were memorializing the Kings’ season on social media, moments after it ended at Golden 1 Center.
Final: Warriors 120, Kings 100
“SAC-RA-MENTO” chants to the bitter end. pic.twitter.com/dUp4rrugfQ— Jason Anderson (@JandersonSacBee) April 30, 2023
Best fans in the world, win or loss pic.twitter.com/untumgSRU7
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) April 30, 2023
I'm so proud of our team. They took Sacramento further than we’ve been in years, united and energized our city, and kept our skyline lit up in purple all season long. I believe more great things are to come from our #BeamTeam #sacramentoproud @SacramentoKings
— Councilmember Katie Valenzuela (@CMKValenzuela) April 30, 2023
If you’re a Kings fan please kindly line up in a single file line for a hug.#SacramentoProud
— Adam Saldaña (@banziito) April 30, 2023
Easily the worst played and coached game of the season. Nothing even comes close. But man, Kings fans let’s keep the perspective. 17 years later and we’re finally back. We got beat by an all-time great team. Our time is just beginning. We’ll be back
— Sac Card Collects (@SacCollects) April 30, 2023
Disappointing end to a memorable season for the Sacramento Kings.
The Kings hadn't been in the NBA Playoffs since 2006, and they got some valuable experience from this seven-game series with the defending champions.
Great series. Great season. Bummed it's over.— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) April 30, 2023
Kings had a great season, but some changes are needed if they’re gonna take the next step up.
Nothing to be ashamed of, arrived ahead of schedule and played fun basketball.
Baby steps, but well done, Sacramento. #LightTheBeam pic.twitter.com/9Ga07mCvMl— Jay (@JayNCtoDC) April 30, 2023
Just can’t say enough about this young talented team and this amazing city full of loyal fans. Really proud of what @SacramentoKings have done for @TheCityofSac this year.
Still and always, #SacramentoProud
Thank you for an amazing ride! https://t.co/Suf1Emqua0— Angelique Ashby (@AngeliqueAshby) April 30, 2023
The Kings are a phenomenal young team with a bright future. Y’all are not going to be able to #LightTheBeam today, but keep your heads up. You just played an astonishing season of basketball.
— Bhavik Lathia (@bhaviklathia) April 30, 2023
just an absolute disaster of a 3rd quarter for the Kings
— ev (@EvanBear4) April 30, 2023
Kings have been absolutely terrible this 2nd half.
— Stephen McCray (@step04m) April 30, 2023
This was a great Season for Us kings fans! We took the defending champions to 7 games and did our best! I’m looking forward to Lighting the Beam next season! #SacramentoProud pic.twitter.com/WbmgrMZv3s
— DrChrissyD (@DrChrissyD) April 30, 2023
Shout out to the Kings. Awesome season and put up an incredible fight against the champs. Great fans. Great story. Excited to see how they keep building
— Nick H (@NickHehemann) April 30, 2023
Warriors-Kings was an all-time first round series. Two teams executing at a high level with multiple memorable performances. Beautiful basketball.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) April 30, 2023