The Kings, who hadn't reached the playoffs since 2006, dominated the defending champions in the first best-of-seven first-round game in the Western Conference, which continues in Sacramento on Monday.

In the first games of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the New York Knicks beat Cleveland 101-97 away, Boston won at home over Atlanta (112-99) and Philadelphia won at home against Brooklyn (121-101).

In his playoff debut, Fox hit 13-of-27 shooting, including 4-of-8 3-pointers, and 8-of-12 free throws.

After the victory, he had the privilege of pressing the button that triggers outside their enclosure, the Golden 1 Center, the laser light symbol of a Kings victory.

Monk made two free throws in the final moments to seal the final gap as Stephen Curry, author of 30 points, then missed a final 3-point shot for the Warriors, which would have taken both teams to overtime.

Brunson leads Knicks

Teammate Klay Thompson scored just 21 points.

On the Sacramento side, forward Trey Lyles, coming off the bench like Monk, contributed 16 points, while NBA rebounding leader Domantas Sabonis had 12 points and 16 rebounds. "The substitutes did a great job tonight, especially Malik and Trey. They set us on fire," Fox said.

"We knew we had to be physical, try not to make fouls because they're probably the best team in the league in terms of free throws, and do the right thing defensively, and we made some important blocks," said the 25-year-old point guard.

Boston star Jaylen Brown during the Celtics' NBA playoff win over the Atlanta Hawks, in Boston, April 15, 2023 © Maddie Meyer/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

In Cleveland, Jalen Brunson scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half to lead New York to victory, while the Cavaliers were buoyed by Donovan Mitchell's 38 points.

A late-game Brunson miss was picked up by Julius Randle, who scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, allowing Quentin Grimes to make two decisive free throws for the Knicks.

"We kept our cool. We played until the end, we made some decisive blocks," Brunson explained. "We kept fighting, sticking together and staying calm."

Record Sixers

Regular-season leading scorer Joel Embiid scored 26 points, and teammate James Harden, the season's leading assist, added 23 points and 13 assists in the Sixers' win over the Nets.

Philadelphia, which already ranked first in three-point shooting this year, broke the franchise playoff record in this area, with 21 of 43 successful attempts.

Mikal Bridges scored 30 points for Brooklyn, but only seven in the second half.

Harden, a former Nets player, hailed "a great win" and warned that Game 2 would be "the hardest of the series for us."

Joel Embiid (Philadelphia) blocks a shot by Mikal Bridges (Brooklyn) during the Sixers' NBA playoff win over the Nets, in Philadelphia, April 15, 2023 © Mitchell Leff/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Finally, the Celtics beat Atlanta, thanks in large part to Jaylen Brown's 29 points and 12 rebounds and Jayson Tatum's 25 points and 11 rebounds.

Brown played with a bandage on his fingers and a protective mask he has been wearing for two months due to a broken face.

"I have to be ready to play," the 26-year-old fullback said. "My team depends on me. My city depends on me. I'm not looking for excuses. I go out and play."

© 2023 AFP