The Los Angeles Clippers Paul George (13) drives on the Sacramento Kings KZ Okpala (40) at Golden One Arena in Sacramento on Sat Oct 22, 2022 (AP News photo)

Kings Fall Short In Loss To Clippers 111-109

By Barbara Mason

After sailing through the pre-season the Sacramento Kings (0-2) have stumbled in the early regular season falling to Portland Wednesday night 115-108. Saturday night the Kings took on the Los Angeles Clippers (2-0) who look to be a legitimate contender this season. The Kings ended up dropping their second straight game in a row 111-109 to the Clippers at Golden One Arena in Sacramento. There is so much Clipper talent but as the Kings have seen season after season injuries has so much to do with any team’s success.

The Kings led through much of the first quarter but with 4:45 left in the quarter the Clippers took their first lead of the game. Los Angeles led 29-26 after the first 12 minutes of play.

The Kings outscored the Clippers in the second quarter 29-23. The Kings led at halftime 55-52 with a much improved defensive and offensive effort over Wednesday night. They had four turnovers in the half and were shooting right around 43%. As expected the Kings had their hands full defending Paul George who finished the first two quarters with 19 points, the only Clipper in double digits.

The Kings De’Aaron Fox had 15 points at the half and off the bench Keegan Murray had 10 points.

The Kings had two turnovers in the opening minutes of the third quarter allowing the Clippers to take the lead 60-58 with a long ways to go in this game. Paul George had begun to take over this game with 26 points.

The Kings were struggling from the free throw line shooting around 50%. With three minutes left in the quarter the Clippers had taken a six point lead 79-73, their largest of the game.

After three quarters, the Clippers led 86-80. Los Angeles had outscored the Kings in the quarter 34-25. Missed shots from the line were hurting Sacramento leaving ten points on the board, something that does not want to become a trend this season for Sacramento.

After an unfortunate questionable foul on the Kings the Clippers Reggie Jackson sank three free throws giving the Kings a 89-83 lead. Los Angeles got really fired up taking a ten-point lead and the Kings were simply fading away unable to slow down the Clippers.

With four minutes left in the game the officials took what seemed like an eternity to determine a Mike Brown challenge which was successful. The Kings desperately needed stops if they wanted to make any kind of a move in the final minutes. The Kings were able to get some stops but the offensive effort fell just short.

There were some great moments in this game for the Kings but there were a lot of things to clean up as well. Suffice to say this team has a lot of promise as this season gets underway. De’Aaron Fox had back-to- back 33 plus point games. They also had some great defensive moments. Off the bench Keegan Murray was amazing with 19 points.

The Kings will be back in action Sunday night against a formidable opponent, the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Tipoff is at 5:30.