Detroit Pistons forward Saddiq Bey shoots the game-winning 3-point basket against the Golden State Warriors in an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors looked to be heading into overtime for their second consecutive game after Klay Thompson hit a game-tying 3 with a second left Wednesday night.
But Detroit Pistons forward Saddiq Bey responded, nailing a dagger 3 as time expired to hand the Warriors’ a heartbreaking 122-119 defeat in front of their home crowd.
Thompson scored 30 points and Jordan Poole added 24 but the Warriors couldn’t complete a fourth-quarter rally.
Golden State had managed to pull out gritty wins in the first six games of this eight-game homestand, its longest of the season. Kevon Looney was the hero Monday night, making a walk-off basket in double-overtime against the Atlanta Hawks. But the Warriors ended on the opposite side of the result Wednesday night.
A breakaway layup by Thompson put the Warriors up 99-98 for their first lead since early in the second quarter. The Pistons responded with a 7-0 run. But Golden State hung tough. The Warriors had a chance to take the lead as the clock wound down, but Poole lost the ball and committed a lethal turnover.
Golden State sent Killian Hayes to the line, who made a pair of free throws to extend the Pistons’ lead to three, giving the Warriors four seconds to make something happen.
Thompson answered the call, knocking down a 3 to tie it at 119 to cap off his 17-point fourth quarter.
But with one second left, Bey hit the game-winner. A short review confirmed he got it off in time.
That one hurt. Several of the Warriors players walked away in disbelief. Donte DiVincenzo had his hands on his hips and shook his head.
One fan yelled, “I can’t believe they lost!” as she walked toward the exits.
Draymond Green picked up his 11th and 12th technicals of the season. He was tossed with 1:24 left in the game after getting into it with Isaiah Stewart. The two had gotten physical trying to get a rebound.
The Warriors will have two days off before returning to action Saturday against the Orlando Magic.
Originally published at Madeline Kenney