Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV, left, dunks as Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Huerter defends at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Fri Nov 11, 2022 (AP News photo)

Kings Finish Off Lakers in Final Seconds 120-114

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Sacramento Kings (5-6) took on the Los Angeles Lakers (2-10) at crypto.com Arena. The Kings were coming off a 127-120 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers while the struggling Lakers lost to the Clippers 114-101 on Wednesday.

LeBron James had to leave the game against the Clippers with a groin injury and was unable to play Wednesday. The Kings picked up their third win in their last five games defeating the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles 120-114. It was the Lakers fifth straight loss.

Game recap: The game was all tied after the first 12 minutes 23-23. The Kings took the lead for much of the first quarter but could never distance themselves from the Lakers.

The second quarter remained close until the five minute mark. The Lakers began to chip away and built a 12 point lead. With three minutes left in the half, the Kings began to make a push and after two quarters Sacramento had rallied and only trailed 60-56.

DeAaron Fox had been quiet through the first quarter and most of the second. The final two minutes of the half saw Fox turn things around heating up and finishing the half with 11 points. The slow start Kevin Huerter had also turned around in the second quarter.

The Kings took the lead mid-way through the third quarter but this game remained close. With 4:56 left the Kings were clinging to a one point lead 75-74. Domantas Sabonis had really stepped up from the start of this game. As the third quarter wound down the teams were trading the lead. The Lakers led after three quarters 88-87.

The early minutes of the fourth quarter were as tight as a game could be between these two teams. With 1:06 left in the game the score was tied 114-114. Sacramento dug in and took a 118-114 lead with 32 seconds on the clock. The high for the Lakers was Anthony Davis with 24 points and Russell Westbrook finished with 21 points off the bench.

This game was a dogfight with the Kings coming out on top. Fox finished with 32 points followed by Sabonis with 21 points. Terence Davis finished with 12 off the bench. Sacramento fought hard from start to finish and it paid off.

Sunday night the Kings will be back home taking on the Golden State Warriors. The Kings got close last Monday losing to the Warriors 116- 113. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.