10 gut reactions after the first weekend of the NBA Playoffs

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Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports) /

The Sacramento Kings are the real deal

For all the doubt that the Sacramento Kings were battling heading into Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors, it was actually surprising to see the team handle it all so well. Especially considering the Kings were one of the most inexperienced playoff teams heading into Game 1 this season. But, again, it was just one win. The Kings still have to win three more to close out the defending NBA Champions and that won’t be easy.

Perhaps the most encouraging thing about their Game 1 win against the Warriors was their relentlessness. Every time it looked like the Warriors were going to run away with the game, the Kings had an answer. And they managed to make one more clutch play than the defending champs when it mattered most.

That is big and will only help this team and its confidence heading into Game 2 and when they hit the road for Games 3 and 4. It’s still early but the Kings look like they’ll be able to hang with the Warriors in this series.