It’s never easy for the 2023-24 Sacramento Kings, and Thursday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs without Victor Wembanyama would be no different.
The Kings appeared well on their way to another disappointing loss as the Spurs took a 129-124 lead with 57 seconds remaining. Once De’Aaron Fox, who scored 17 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter, committed his sixth foul with less than a minute remaining, a loss seemed inevitable.
As some fans in attendance at Golden 1 Center headed for the exits, Harrison Barnes and Malik Monk went on a quick 5-0 run that injected a dose of adrenaline into the building and tied the score at 129- 129.
With 23 seconds left, the game took a final turn.
San Antonio had a chance to hold on to the ball and get the final shot off, but pressure on the ball from Keon Ellis, coupled with anticipation defense from Domantas Sabonis on a pass attempt from the Spurs guard Malaki Branham, forced a turnover that gave the Kings the game. on a silver platter.
DOMAS FOR THE TRACK ???? pic.twitter.com/488El1vQK1
– Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) March 8, 2024
Sabonis tipped the pass into the open field and delivered a game-sealing jam, helping Sacramento avoid another disappointing home loss.
“It looked pretty ugly with a minute to play, and I was like, ‘Ugh, not again,’” Sabonis said of the late-game drama. Once the three-time All-Star had the ball in his hands, his thinking was simple:
“Hurry up and dunk him,” Sabonis said with a laugh when asked what he was thinking once he got the ball. “I was afraid [Malaki Branham] I was going to come from behind and try to challenge.
Sabonis recorded his 45th straight double-double in the win, scoring 31 points (14-of-19 shooting), 17 rebounds, nine assists and a crucial steal in his 38 minutes of action.
More from Domantas Sabonis on Kings’ win over Spurs
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
Sacramento will continue its six-game homestand Sunday afternoon with a matinee against the Houston Rockets.
If the Kings want to keep pace in competitive Western Conference competition, they’ll have to redeem themselves against a Houston team that had their number in 2023-24.
The Rockets dominated the Kings in two early-season matchups at the Toyota Center, winning by an average of 21.5 points per game while holding Sacramento to just 93.0 points (on a 41/30 shooting split/ 64) during two victories.
Be sure to tune in here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all your Kings vs. Kings coverage. Rockets, starting at 1:30 p.m. PST on Game night before an alert at 3:00 p.m. PST from downtown Sacramento.
Upcoming calendar
- Sunday March 10 – Sacramento Kings vs. Houston Rockets – 3:00 p.m. PST
- Tuesday 12 March – Sacramento Kings vs. Milwaukee Bucks – 7:00 p.m. PST
- Wednesday March 13 – Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 7:00 p.m. PST
- Saturday March 16 – Sacramento Kings vs. New York Knicks – 7:00 p.m. PST
- Monday March 18 – Sacramento Kings vs. Memphis Grizzlies – 7:00 p.m. PST
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