History: Kings pull out 176-175 win over Clippers in Game of the Year

Feb 25, 2023, 12:05 AM | Updated: 12:07 am

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 24: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket...

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

Wow.

That’s the best way to summarize Friday night’s matchup between the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Clippers–a game that will be remembered forever as one of the greatest regular season showdowns in the history of the NBA.

De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk became the first pair of Kings teammates in franchise history to score 40+ points each during an incredible comeback win over the Clippers in double-overtime at crypto.com Arena.

What was the final score, you ask? A casual final of 176-175–the second-highest scoring game in NBA history.

There were countless game-saving or seemingly game-sealing moments in this one, as Sacramento battled back from multiple possession deficits during the closing minutes of the fourth quarter and both overtime periods.

With the game on the line and the Kings trailing by one with less than 40 seconds remaining, Mr. Fourth Quarter punched his time card a tad later than usual as Fox stripped Los Angeles center Mason Plumlee and rushed to the other end of the floor before dropping in a go-ahead jumper–one that would act the difference for Sacramento.

It's closing time … you know who to call ☎️ pic.twitter.com/OacQp1SGoG

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 25, 2023

Fox, who finished the game with a season-high 42 points on 17-of-27 shooting to go along with 12 assists, secured Defensive Player of the Game honors after swiping five steals during the nail-biting win.

Of Fox’s five steals, none were more significant than his two steals that took place during the final moments of the fourth quarter as the Clippers had the Kings on the ropes in the form of a 147-136 lead with less than three minutes remaining.

Back-to-back forced turnovers forced by Fox resulted in two quick scores as Los Angeles’ lead was reduced to single digits. Then, it was Monk’s turn.

After 90 seconds of chaos that ended with Sacramento staring at a 153-150 deficit with 8.5 seconds to go in regulation, Fox made his move to the basket and dished a beautiful hammer-action pass to an open Monk for the game-tying triple.

Somehow, someway, this game was heading into overtime.

ARE YOU KIDDING, MALIK 😱 pic.twitter.com/trxMZCeFkz

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 25, 2023

Sacramento looked flat during the first few minutes of overtime, and once Domantas Sabonis fouled out with three minutes to go, it seemed as if the curtains were being pulled on the Kings’ comeback hopes–but that’s where things get interesting.

A game that featured almost no consecutive stops hit a cold stretch during the final minute of overtime as neither team scored the basketball until Monk’s free throws tied things up at 164-164 with 20 seconds remaining.

After a solid defensive possession from Sacramento, Paul George’s game-winning attempt rimmed out and we were heading for–gulp–a second overtime period.

Closing games out isn’t foreign for Fox and Monk, who gained national attention during their time together at the University of Kentucky in 2016-17 when they formed one of the deadliest backcourt duos in college basketball. Six years later, the guards would make Kings franchise history while closing out one of the greatest NBA games ever.

Monk established a new career-high of 45 points (15-of-24 shooting from the field and six-of-12 from three-point range) during the second overtime as the 25-year-old scored eight points during the final five minutes of play.

Once the Clippers took a 175-169 lead with 1:46 remaining, Monk and Fox brought the hammer down during the closing stretch while an inspired Kings defense held Los Angeles scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Several times it seemed as if Sacramento was on its way to dropping an essential game to the Clippers, and each time the Kings said, “nope, not today.” If you were wondering when this team would secure its signature win, you got your answer on Friday night.

Malik has gone NUCLEAR pic.twitter.com/XcSb3nU94e

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 25, 2023

“They always doubt us, man, and I don’t like that,” Monk said on the NBC Sports California telecast following the win. “I took that personally on myself and played hard. My teammates followed right behind me. It was a great win. We’re just out here competing. We’re going to compete every game and let the league know that we’re here.”

Monk, who recently returned from a two-game absence that was due to a sprained ankle, has picked up right where he left off and then some as he continues to show why he deserves some attention come this spring when NBA writers vote for the Sixth Man of the Year award.

Friday’s win was one for the books–literally.

Only one other NBA game in the league’s 76-year history saw more points scored than Kings vs. Clippers, and that was when the Detroit Pistons defeated the Denver Nuggets by a final of 186-184 on December 13, 1983.

What we just witnessed isn’t something that you see every day. You won’t see it tomorrow. You probably won’t see it next year or the year after. Friday’s 176-175 Kings win will be remembered for a long time for its uniqueness–and especially for the stress that it called all of its viewers, including those on the sideline.

“I hope not,” Kings head coach Mike Brown said with a laugh when asked if fans should get used to watching high-scoring games like tonight’s in Los Angeles. “I take a baby aspirin daily. I hope not, because then I’d have to go to two baby aspirins.”

Outside of the ridiculous final point total, the most important thing to come out of this game was that Sacramento (34-25) improved to a season-high nine games over .500 while increasing its lead over Los Angeles to 2.5 games in the Western Conference standings.

The win also entitled the Kings to at least a split of the season series, as these two teams will meet for the final time next Friday night at Golden 1 Center.

Encore, anyone?

Kings-Clippers had EVERYTHING 🤯

– 2nd highest scoring game in NBA history
– 2nd time in NBA history both teams scored 170+
– Tied most 3PM in a game in NBA history

Kawhi: 44 PTS
PG: 34 PTS
Fox: 42 PTS
Monk: 45 PTS

Kings win 176-175 in 2OT. pic.twitter.com/ycPgcS2WXg

— NBA (@NBA) February 25, 2023

Notes

De’Aaron Fox secured his sixth-straight game with 30+ points, extending his Sacramento-era record. The last player in franchise history to do so was Nate ‘Tin’ Archibald (1975).
Domantas Sabonis racked up his NBA-leading 47th double-double of the season during the win as the big man scored 20 points (8/14 FG) and grabbed ten rebounds before fouling out in the first overtime period.
Sacramento (obviously) established a new franchise record of 176 points during the win, topping their previous high of 165 (1970, Cincinnati Royals).
All five Kings starters finished in double-figures for the second-straight game

Next Game

Sacramento will conclude its brief three-game road trip in Oklahoma City, where they will play two games against a sneaky good Thunder team that has firmly planted itself in the race for a Western Conference Play-In spot.

The Kings will face Oklahoma City on Sunday evening, then again on Tuesday before returning home for a four-game home stand at Golden 1 Center.

Be sure to get all of your Kings vs. Thunder coverage right here on Sactown Sports 1140 beginning at 2:30 PM PST on Game Night with Scott Marsh and Henry ‘The High Flyer’ Turner.