The Kings’ Malik Monk hits a 3-pointer to tie the game and send it into overtime.
Photo: Harry How/Getty Images
In a spectacular match that neither team deserved to lose and in which multiple records were set, the Sacramento Kings took the dramatic victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. The final score of 176-175 on Friday night in LA is recorded as the second highest scoring in NBA history.
The Clippers led by 14 points with less than 4 minutes left in regulation and later had a six-point lead in the final minutes of the first overtime, but they simply couldn’t stop the Kings, who are one of the Conference’s revelation teams this season. West on the way to the playoffs.
The celebration in the visiting dressing room was euphoric. The Kings, who had 18 takeaways, had played the night before (133-116 win vs. Portland), which adds to their victory.
Malik Monk was the man of the game by scoring 45 points after coming off the bench for the Kings (34-25), though it was De’Aaron Fox who made the game-winning basket inside the final minute of the second overtime period to cap his 42-point night.
For the Clippers (33-29), Kawhi Leonard scored 44, Paul George added 34 and Russell Westbrook had a good debut for his new team with 17 points and 14 assists.. Westbrook, recently acquired after being traded from the Lakers, was cheered as he fouled out of the game in second overtime.
The first period ended 40-40 and the first half 80-76 in favor of the Kings. The game went into overtime tied 153-153, a staggering 300+ point cumulative.
The Clippers’ last chance came on Nicolas Batum’s shot as time expired in the second overtime period.
While outside the Crypto Arena it did not stop raining due to a winter storm that hits southern California, inside the Los Angeles building the rain was baskets and points. It was only the second time that both teams in a match reached 170 points. joining the December 13, 1983 game that Detroit beat Denver 186-184 in triple overtime.
Sacramento’s 176 points are a new game-high for the franchise, as are the 174 for the Clippers. And the 44 combined three-pointers on Friday are the most ever in a league game.
