Sacramento Kings Russell Westbrook gestures after scoring a three pointer against the the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Arena in Los Angeles on Sat Mar 14, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (17-51) pulled off an upset Saturday night beating the Los Angeles Clippers (34-33) 118-109. They have been playing some greatly improved basketball despite the multitude of injuries they are facing right now. Again DeMar DeRozan had the high for the Kings with 27 points and Precious Achiuwa chipped in a double double 25 points and 13 rebounds. Maxime Raynaud finished with 23 points.

Game recap: The opening quarter was a close one with the Kings taking a slim 33-31 lead after the first 12 minutes of play. Sacramento really began to pour it on the second quarter and after two quarters they had outscored Los Angeles 35-23 and were leading at the half 68-54.

After the first two quarters, Precious Achiuwa had scored 18 points and DeMar DeRozan and Maxime Raynaud both had double figures. The Kings would be looking to keep the pressure on after an impressive first half of basketball.

Kawhi Leonard was the only Clipper in double digits with 17 points. While the first quarter was a close one the Kings were doing a great job containing the Clippers in the second quarter pushing their lead to fourteen points.

The Clippers were really struggling scoring from the field. Both teams were not great from the line, the Kings shooting 64% and the Clippers at 69%. The Kings did have ten turnovers in the half conceding nine points.

The largest lead in the game for Sacramento was 14 points. Extending their lead in the second half and playing spoiler would definitely be in their sites with the Clippers clinging to eighth place in the Western Conference. The Golden State Warriors are chasing them and a loss Saturday night would give Los Angeles a one game lead over the Warriors.

The Kings got a bit sloppy in the third quarter with three turnovers early in the the quarter. They began missing shots and fouling letting their 14-point lead dwindle down to nine points mid-way through the quarter.

At 7:45 the Kings had taken a timeout to get this game back on track. With five minutes left in the third quarter they had pushed their lead back out to double digits 82-69. As the quarter began to wind down the Kings had taken a 20 point lead 90-70 their largest of the game. Going into the fourth quarter the Kings had a 92-75 lead.

The Clippers continued to try and cut the Kings lead but Sacramento continued to hang onto a sizeable double digit lead although Los Angeles had cut the 20 point King lead to fourteen. With nine minutes left in the game this contest was hardly over and numerous fouls were really hurting Sacramento as the Clippers got within 12 points 97-85.

As in the third quarter, the Kings had a sloppy start to the fourth letting the Clippers back in this game. With 6:57 left on the clock the Kings again took a timeout with the Clippers again pulling to within nine points.

Sacramento was unable to pull away after that timeout this time allowing the Clippers to get within three points 103-100 with four minutes left in the game, This would be a fight to the end as the Kings battled for the rest of the game.

Los Angeles took a time out looking to take the lead they had not seen since the first quarter. With 2 1/2 minutes left in the game Sacramento fought back to a 112-102 lead. The Clippers rallied to within six points with 1:25 left on the clock taking a time out looking to somehow win this game.

A Los Angeles challenge favored the Kings who pushed their lead out to 114-106 when DeRozan hit free throws. With under a minutes left in the game and Sacramento leading 118-106 the Kings had pulled off the upset.

The Kings fought in this game to the very end . When the Clippers very nearly took the lead in the fourth quarter Sacramento held on to push their lead back out and upset the Clippers.

Rozan had the team high with 27 points, Achiuwa had a double double with 25 points and 13 rebounds. Raynaud finished with 23 points and Russell Westbrook also had a triple double with 12 points, 12 rebounds and ten assists. Daeqwon Plowden had an amazing game off the bench finishing with 15 points and five rebounds. Every starter tonight scored double figures in an all-around team effort.

Game notes: Saturday night the Kings who traveled down to Los Angeles for a matchup with the Clippers the Kings won it in a shocker beating the Clippers at Intuit Arena this was the Kings third win in four games. The Kings came off a loss to the Charlotte Hornets 117-109 last Wednesday night.

Despite the loss Wednesday the Kings DeMar DeRozan had a banner night scoring 39 points the high in the game. Nique Clifford had a solid game scoring 18 points. Precious Achiuwa has been really stepping up and in that game he scored 14 points and just as importantly with eight rebounds which was the high for Sacramento.

Despite all the injuries the Kings suffered this season there have a handful of players who have picked up the slack and continue to improve with each game. They have lent a lot of hope for the Kings for next season. Saturday night the Kings faced a Clippers team containing Kawhi Leonard, no easy task. Alongside Leonard, Darius Garland who has been solid on and off the bench Bennedict Mathurin is also a threat.

Sacramento was without Malik Monk Saturday night’s lineup. He is suffering a right ankle injury that he suffered in their game with the Pacers, missing his second consecutive game. Devin Carter also missed Saturday night’s game.

Sacramento now heads back home to Golden 1 for a matchup with the Utah Jazz. They are slightly favored as they go into another winnable game. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 7:00 PM Sunday night.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.