There are very few players in NBA history who can rival Klay Thompson’s three-point shooting ability, but Buddy Hield is certainly in the same league.
The Golden State Warriors showcased their new sharpshooter in a stunning three-point display during a 122-112 victory over the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on Wednesday night.
Hield scored a game-high 22 points against his former team. He was on fire from the moment he entered the game in the first quarter, hitting two three-pointers and finishing with eight points on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting in under five minutes. He continued his hot streak in the second quarter, adding another eight points on 3-of-3 shooting.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73450185/1726416355.0.jpg)
Hield hit another three early in the third, going 5-of-5 from beyond the arc. Although he missed shortly after, he nailed another in the fourth quarter, concluding the game with 22 points on 8-of-9 shooting in just 15 minutes.
While Hield may fill the role of Thompson as a shooter, De’Anthony Melton is establishing himself as the Warriors’ starting two-guard. Despite coming off the bench, Melton impressed with 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists, shooting 4-of-9 from three-point range in 21 minutes.
Brandin Podziemski started alongside Stephen Curry, demonstrating his developing playmaking skills with a game-high eight assists (with only one turnover), plus eight points, four rebounds, and two steals in 23 minutes. Together, Hield, Melton, and Podziemski showed that the Warriors can effectively replace their departed franchise legend.
The team’s three-point shooting wasn’t limited to just Hield and Melton; the Warriors made 28 three-pointers, hitting 15-of-27 from beyond the arc in the first half. Although it was a preseason game, this total would have broken the franchise record of 27 and was just one shy of the all-time league record.
Jonathan Kuminga also displayed his improved shooting, going 4-of-7 from deep for 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Stephen Curry contributed three three-pointers and 13 points in 16 minutes, while Draymond Green added two threes, finishing with 10 points and five assists. Lindy Waters III backed up his strong performance from Saturday against the Clippers by going 3-of-5 from deep in 13 minutes during the second half.
With a 2-0 record in preseason, the Warriors will return home to play their first game at Chase Center against the Kings on Friday.
