‘Not again’: Domantas Sabonis on the Kings’ late-game heroics
Mar 8, 2024, 9:52 AM | Updated: 9:57 am
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
It’s never easy for the 2023-24 Sacramento Kings, and Thursday’s matchup against the Victor Wembanyama-less San Antonio Spurs wouldn’t be any different.
The Kings appeared well on their way to another disappointing loss as the Spurs took a 129-124 lead with 57 seconds to go. Once De’Aaron Fox, who scored 17 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter, picked up his sixth foul with under a minute to go, a loss seemed inevitable.
As some fans in attendance at Golden 1 Center made their way toward the exits, Harrison Barnes and Malik Monk delivered a quick 5-0 run that injected a shot of adrenaline into the building and evened the score at 129-129.
With 23 seconds to go, the game took one final turn.
San Antonio had a chance to hang onto the ball and take the final shot, but Keon Ellis’s on-ball pressure, paired with anticipation defense from Domantas Sabonis on a pass attempt by Spurs guard Malaki Branham, forced a turnover that handed the Kings the game on a silver platter.
DOMAS FOR THE LEAD 🔥 pic.twitter.com/488El1vQK1
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) March 8, 2024
Sabonis tipped the pass into the open court and delivered a game-sealing jam, helping Sacramento avoid another letdown loss at home.
“It looked pretty ugly there with a minute left, and I was like, ‘Ugh, not again,’” Sabonis said of the late-game drama. Once the three-time All-Star got the ball in his hands, his thought process was simple:
“Just hurry up and dunk it,” Sabonis said with a laugh when asked what he was thinking once he got the ball. “I was scared [Malaki Branham] was going to come from behind and try and contest.”
Sabonis posted his 45th consecutive double-double during the win, scoring 31 points (14-of-19 shooting), 17 rebounds, nine assists, and one crucial steal during his 38 minutes of action.
More from Domantas Sabonis on the Kings’ win over the Spurs
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
Sacramento will continue its six-game homestand on Sunday afternoon with a matinee showing against the Houston Rockets.
If the Kings want to keep pace in the competitive Western Conference, they’ll have to redeem themselves against a Houston team that has had their number in 2023-24.
The Rockets dominated the Kings in two early-season matchups at Toyota Center, winning by an average of 21.5 points per contest while holding Sacramento to just 93.0 points (on 41/30/64 shooting splits) during two wins.
Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Rockets coverage, beginning at 1:30 PM PST on Game Night before a 3:00 PM PST tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
Upcoming Schedule
- Sunday, March 10th – Sacramento Kings vs. Houston Rockets – 3:00 PM PST
- Tuesday, March 12th – Sacramento Kings vs. Milwaukee Bucks – 7:00 PM PST
- Wednesday, March 13th – Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 7:00 PM PST
- Saturday, March 16th – Sacramento Kings vs. New York Knicks – 7:00 PM PST
- Monday, March 18th – Sacramento Kings vs. Memphis Grizzlies – 7:00 PM PST
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