The Thunder came close to pulling off the heist of the evening! Still trailing by 13 points six minutes from time, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's teammates made the Kings tremble until the end, with a stifling “money time” and an interminable last minute. But Keegan Murray did not tremble when making his free throws to validate Sacramento's victory.
It was OKC who had the best start with the inevitable SGA at the helm, and Lu Dort finishing by far. Jalen Williams is not having a great night, but the Thunder comes away (20-14). Opposite, Domantas Sabonis demonstrates his technique and his altruism, and it is he who finds Malik Monk to reduce the gap (23-21).
The Kings' 6th man makes his defenders dance, and he finds, in Keon Ellis and JaVale McGee, two choice partners to put on the show. On the OKC side, Aaron Wiggins shows up, like on this nice “move” to catch Sabonis’ cold. But it lacks support, and Sabonis takes the match to his own account. His left paw and bindings hurt a lot, and at halftime, Sacramento led 59-53. The Lithuanian is on the verge of a triple-double.
The decisive Kings bench
Returning from the locker room, Josh Giddey wakes up but De'Aaron Fox is unresponsive, even at 8 meters (73-69). The stars of both teams go blow for blow, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is as easy as ever when it comes to laying a lay-up with the foul above the opposing interiors (77-76). The two teams do not give up, and it is again the Kings bench which makes the difference with Trey Lyles on tap and the Monk-Ellis duo from afar (100-92).
Sacramento holds the right end, and Sasha Vezenkov gives 13 points in advance (105-92). The Kings mastered their subject, until this “money time” where Jalen Williams woke up with a tap, then Josh Giddey punctuated a 6-0 to return to -2 (119-117). De'Aaron Fox reminds us that he is not the most clutch player in the NBA for nothing, and he is going to challenge Chet Holmgren. It was ultimately Keegan Murray who ensured the Kings' victory, the third in four matches, to take back control of the Pacific division.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Thunder’s withdrawal. Best attack in the NBA last season, Sacramento only scored 7 points on the counterattack. De'Aaron Fox was very good, but he never managed to make the difference in quick play, with the Thunder's interiors very quick to recover.
– Josh Giddey whistled. Complicated evening for the Australian, whistled by the Sacramento public every time he touched the ball. The reason ? The ongoing investigation in California into accusations of an inappropriate relationship with an underage teenage girl.
– The Ellis Spark. Mike Brown can thank his bench with Malik Monk of course, whose bindings did very badly, but also a surprising Keon Ellis, author of 17 points at 5 of 7 at 3-points. The duo did very badly at the end of the 3rd quarter, and their complicity is obvious.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
