Kevon Looney, center for the Golden State Warriors, talks about how Steph Curry pumped up the squad before their Game 7 playoff victory over the Sacramento Kings.

The Golden State Warriors led the Sacramento Kings 3-2 after five games of the first round of the 2023 Western Conference Playoffs. The Kings jumped off to an early 2-0 lead in the series, but the Warriors stormed back to win the next three games and seize the advantage.

The Warriors had a chance to win the series in Game 6, but they ended up losing. Their subsequent comeback in Game 7 led to a 120-100 victory over the Kings and a spot in the next round.

Kevon Looney, a member of the Warriors, reflects on how Steph Curry inspired the team to overcome adversity and win the seventh game months after the fact.

We kind of had a disappointment at home the game prior and felt like we should have closed that series out in six games,” Kevon Looney said in an exclusive interview with Clutch Points’ Brett Siegel. After this game, Steph gathered us together and assured us that if we take the bus to Sacramento, we will come out on top. Just take his 50 point performance in that game as an example. His oratory and leadership inspired the group to think about how to best support him rather than abandon him.

Looney listened to Curry’s advice and scored 11 points, his series high against the Kings. His 21 boards were his second-most in the series.

The Warriors’ first-round playoff success can be attributed solely to Steph Curry. He averaged at least 28 points and 30 minutes per game while leading the Warriors in all seven games. To cap off the series, he scored 50 points, sending the Warriors on to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the next round of the playoffs, but they ultimately fell short.