The Sacramento Kings head into Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round series against the Golden State Warriors with a commanding 2-0 lead. The series shifts back to the Chase Center with the Warriors holding home court.
Kings fans are expected to be in attendance for Game 3, but they will be prohibited from having cowbells in the stands. Any cowbells will be left at an outdoor check location and can be retrieved after the game concludes.
The Chase Center has a prohibited list of noise-making devices. Cowbells are on the list along with air horns, whistles, drums and plastic horns. The Kings also have a similar list at the Golden 1 Center but make an exception for cowbells at Kings games.
Cowbells have become synonymous with Kings fans. The tradition started after former Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson called Sacramento a “cow town” nearly two decades ago.
As a result, Kings fans started bringing cowbells to games against the Lakers. It expanded to regular-season play as well.
This season, the Kings are back in the NBA playoffs after a 17-year drought, earning the third seed with a 48-34 record.
The Kings will head into Game 3 looking to extend their series lead. Golden State will look to climb back into the series without a defensive stalwart Draymond Green. The NBA veteran was suspended after stepping on Kings star Domantas Sabonis in Game 2.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kings fans prohibited from bringing cowbell into Warriors arena