BASKETBALL
Where Does Republic FC’s Win Rank Amongst The Biggest Sports Moments In Sacramento
On Wednesday night, Sacramento Republic FC defeated Sporting Kansas City in a penalty-kick thriller after a 0-0 draw in regulation.
The excitement from the sold-out crowd and reaction from Sacramentans spurred a conversation on the Carmichael Dave Shot with Jason Ross: what are the biggest sports moments to happen in Sacramento?
Wednesday night’s game certainly ranks near the top. Sporting KC fell to the Republic 5-4 in penalty kicks. And a win against Orlando City SC in the finals of the Lamar Hunt Open Cup would mean Sacramento defeated four straight MLS teams in the tournament.
This. Is. Everything 💥 @SacRepublicFC | #USOC2022 | @USLChampionship pic.twitter.com/GtMyHprTCL
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) July 28, 2022
What else makes the list? Well, we can’t mention great moments without the Sacramento Kings. In game 5 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals, Mike Bibby shot a dagger through the hearts of Lakers fans as he hit the game-winning shot.
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Another Kings moment that stands out in Sacramento didn’t happen in the playoffs, but comments on YouTube say it felt like a game seven win. In 2010, the Kings, down by one point against the Memphis Grizzlies with 1.5 seconds to play inbounded the ball to Tyreke Evans, who nailed the game-winning shot from beyond halfcourt.
Let’s stay with basketball for a moment. In 2005, the WNBA Finals featured the Connecticut Sun facing off against the now-defunct Sacramento Monarchs. The team, led by the eventual WNBA Coach of the Year Jon Whisenant would go on to win its first and only championship, defeating the Sun 3-1.
Top 15 moments in ARCO Arena 👑
No. 2: The Sacramento Monarchs bring home the 2005 WNBA Championship 🏆 pic.twitter.com/OjKwAIDXVz
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) March 18, 2022
And while he isn’t a local athlete, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson delivered a “rock concert” for WWE fans in Sacramento that’ll go down in Arco Arena history. In full Hollywood Rock character, The Rock runs down Sacramento, the Kings, and his longtime nemesis Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Did we miss a moment? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.
