Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) takes a shot against the Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (center) while Kings Domantas Sabonis (11) watches (far left) at Intuit Arena in Inglewood on Fri Nov 22, 2024 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
It was a tough game for the Sacramento Kings (8-8) losing to the Los Angeles Clippers (10-7) 104-88. A major slow start for the Kings set the stage trailing at the half 29-51 losing the first and second quarters.
The Clippers led by as much as 25 points in this game. The Kings cut the lead to eight points with 2:21 left in the game but they were so far behind the eight ball throughout the game they were playing catchup for four quarters.
It was a lousy first half of basketball for Sacramento pure and simple. They were outplayed by the Clippers throughout the game. Missed shots left and right, turnovers and the fact that Kwahi Leonard was not playing did not make much of a difference for Los Angeles.
Game wrap: The opening quarter was all Los Angeles. The Clippers led after the first 12 minutes 26-12 in the first quarter. The Kings took a 8-2 lead in the opening minutes of the quarter but went cold for the remaining time of play only scoring four more points through almost eight minutes.
The second quarter was almost as sluggish for Sacramento getting outscored 25-17 by the Clippers. At the half, the Kings had a lot of ground to make up trailing 29-51. The Kings bench really struggled with Keon Ellis and Trey Lyles scoring a combined 3 points.
After trailing by 22 points at the half, the Kings put together a winning third quarter by the score of 35-25 but still had a lot of work to do trailing 64-76 going into the fourth quarter. Domantas Sabonis had another double double with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Fox was leading the way with 19 points but needed help. Kevin Huerter was yet to score and Keegan Murray only had 5 points. It was a disappointing three quarters for Sacramento falling short from downtown going 5 of 23.
It was close to a minute into the fourth quarter that Head Coach Mike Brown called a timeout. Trailing 66-82 the team had about 11 minutes to turn this game around. It had not been great game for the Kings and while they had cut the Clippers lead they were still struggling.
Los Angeles really went on a run in the final quarter taking a 87-70 lead with nine minutes left in the game. The Kings cut the Los Angeles lead to 12 with 8:05 left on the clock 75-87. Sacramento had a tough time at the free throw line and with turnovers continuing to climb at 14 to the Clippers nine too many mistakes were hurting the Kings.
Fast break points were clearly in favor of the Clippers as were points in the paint with a lopsided 42-30 favoring Los Angeles. The Clippers continued to hang on mid-way through the final quarter leading 94-79.
De’Aaron Fox continued to carry the team on his back with 25 points and only five minutes left in the game. The Kings were running out of clock trailing 82-96. The final was 104-88 and the Clippers had their fourth win in a row at home.
It was not the Kings finest hour Friday night in their losing effort. Fox was the team high finishing with 29 points and seven rebounds. Sabonis had a double double with 24 points and 15 rebounds. Huerter never scored a point in his time on the floor and the bench finished with nine points collectively in limited roles due to the return of Sabonis and DeRozan.
Game notes: Friday night the Kings took on the Clippers in their second meeting of the season in Los Angeles. The Clippers won their first meeting back on November 8th 107-98 and Sacramento couldn’t even the series. The Clippers came into this game shorthanded while the Kings will get some major firepower back.
The Clippers were missing three players, Leonard remains out indefinitely with a right knee injury, Norman Powell with a left hamstring injury and P.J. Tucker. Tucker is not out with an injury but due to not being with the team while looking for a trade missed Friday’s game.
The loss of Leonard and Powell would have really hurt the Clippers. Things look a lot brighter for the Kings since DeRozan who returned bringing with him his almost 23 points per game average. Fox and Sabonis were in for Sacramento.
The Kings are still without Malik Monk although he could be getting close to a return to the court. Sacramento couldn’t take advantage of the short-handed Clippers. The Kings bench needed to show up although in their last game bench player Ellis scored a career-high 33 points and Trey Lyles appears to be moving in the right direction. Ellis ended up with only one point Friday.
The return of DeRozan and Sabonis is a huge plus for Sacramento reducing the roles that the bench will play in this game. The Kings came into this game after losing a heartbreaker Monday night 109-108 to the Hawks. DeRozan scored 16 and Sabonis had 24. Murray scored ten and Huerter didn’t score a bucket.
The Kings will put this behind them as they give it another go on Sunday when they take on the Brooklyn Nets at Golden 1. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 6:00 PM.
