The Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives on the Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40) at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Nov 29, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Wednesday night in Sacramento. The Kings were set to take on the LA Clippers on Wednesday after defeating the Warriors on Tuesday. On the first night of the back-to-back on Tuesday, the Kings defeated the Warriors in a close game, 124-123.

The Warriors win was a big game for the Kings, as they had yet to defeat them this season. On Wednesday night, the tip-off for Kings VS Clippers was set for 7 PM PST inside a hostile Golden One Center. The Kings would come out flat and lose the game 131-117 to the LA Clippers.

In the first quarter, the Kings offense started to slow. For the second straight night, the Kings didn’t have any sort of rhythm on the offensive end of the floor. The Kings scored 27 points in the first quarter, but don’t let that deceive you. The Kings gave up 35 points to James Harden and the Clippers in the quarter. James Harden scored 17 of the 35 points in the quarter as he started red hot in the game.

In the second quarter, the Kings played terribly. The Kings defense was missing in action as the Clippers terrorized the Kings. The Clippers upped the intensity on the offensive end to score 37 points.

The Kings offense only scored 23 points in the second quarter as the Clippers lead ballooned to 22 points going into halftime. The Clippers got 16 from Kawhi Leonard, 17 from Paul George, and 19 from James Harden in the first half. The Kings, like Tuesday night, would be looking for answers in the second half.

In the third quarter, the Kings didn’t do much to bring the game closer. The Kings outscored the Clippers for the first time in the game 31-30 in the third quarter, but it appeared not enough to spark a Kings comeback. The Kings seemed out of gas on the second night of a back-to-back. The Kings offense would need to go on a terror in the fourth quarter. The Kings entered the final quarter of the game down 102-81.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings tried to rally, but it was a little too late. The Kings tried to get the game within single digits around the midway part of the quarter. However, the Clippers continued making shots and dashed hopes of a comeback for Sacramento. The Kings outscored the Clippers 36-29 in the final quarter to lose the game 131-117.

It was a disappointing loss for the Kings, who were on a strenuous second night of a back-to-back. An impressive individual performance led the Kings from De’Aaron Fox, who scored 40 points in the game. Leonard led the Clippers to victory, scoring 34 points.

Up Next: The Kings will stay home to take on the Denver Nuggets on Saturday at 7 PM PST.