The Kings would end their road trip in Minnesota after a weekend off from game play. Kings vs Timberwolves was not very exciting for Kings fans, until the last 3 minutes of the game. But BOY, was that an exciting 3 minutes!
The Kings were down by as much as 27 points to the Timberwolves. But then Buddy “Bench Balla” Hield CAUGHT FIRE!
The Kings, led by Buddy’s 42 points and 4th quarter shooting barrage, were able to overcome a 17 point Minnesota lead with 2:49 left in the game to take the game into overtime!
This was the FIRST TIME IN NBA HISTORY that ANY team has come back from a 17 point deficit with 2:49 left in a game.
1/8379 ain’t too shabby.
The Kings held on in overtime to come away with their 2nd straight victory, 133-129.
Above is my little Sunday tribute to Kobe and all the victims of the tragedy on Sunday. We played our last pickup game of the night to 24 points, and the game ended at 8:24 pm… a fitting ending.
I just want to lead off with saying, Thrive in Paradise Kobe Bryant, GiGi Bryant, John Altobelli, and the rest of the victims in Sunday’s tragedy.
The T’wolves and Kings started off the game with a tribute to Kobe. On the first possession of the game Andrew Wiggins placed the ball on free throw line, the same line where Kobe passed Michael Jordan for 3rd on the all-time scoring list, to draw an 8 second violation. That was followed by the Kings taking a 24 second violation.
Minnesota would start the game off with back to back 3’s by Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. Minnesota’s 3 point shooting would be the story of MOST of the game.
Sacramento didn’t get off to a great start, with Minnesota shooting the lights out. The T’Wolves went 8/13 from beyond the arc in the first quarter, with 25 combined points between KAT and Wiggins.
The T’Wolves led after 1 quarter, 37-24.
After the Kings fell down by 20+ points early in the 2nd quarter. They played to a zone defense a few times, which helped to stymie Minnesota a bit, but not enough.
Minnesota went 6/10 from 3 point range in the 2nd quarter. Minnesota would lead 68-50 going into halftime.
The 3rd quarter was more of the same for both squads.
With 1 minute left in the 3rd Minnesota tied their franchise record for 3 pointers made in a game, and then broke that record on the first shot of the 4th quarter.
Sacramento would not go away though! The T’Wolves would get up by over 20, the Kings would make a little run and get it down to 15, and then the T’Wolves would build their lead back up to over 20.
With 4:30 left the Kings went on a 9-0 run that would have them down by 13… with a glimmer of hope still flickering.
With 1:02 left, the Kings cut the Minnesota lead to 9, at 108-117. Buddy Hield was HOT! He was shooting like a madman from the 3 point line in the 4th quarter, almost single handedly bringing the Kings back.
Minnesota head coach Ryan Saunders took his starters out as the lead seemed insurmountable.
:34 seconds left… down by 6, and Hield hits another 3 pointer!
20 4th quarter points for Hield! The Kings are down by just 3, at 113-116!
The Kings foul Shabazz Napier, and then Kings announcer Grant Napear said, “The Kings have a shot if he can miss both free throws…” And the Napear/Napier curse worked! He missed both free throws!
Fox brings the ball up, down by 3, but Minnesota has a foul to use, they use it. The Kings don’t even have a chance to put up a 3 to tie it up. But there still is hope…
Fox sinks the first free throw, Kings now down by 2…. Fox gets the ball, shoots a line drive at the front of the rim, Fox crashes the lane, grabs the ball…. LAYUP FOR 2! GAME TIED AT 119!
The T’Wolves have one more chance…. NO GOOD. To overtime we go!
After a Minnesota basket, De’Aaron Fox converted an ‘And 1’ opportunity to give the Kings the lead 122-121, their first lead since 7-6!
Minnesota really hurt themselves by missing free throws late in this game.
With Sacramento up 131-129, Minnesota’s Okoge was fouled and missed BOTH free throws. There was a scramble for the rebound and DeWayne Dedmon put his body on the floor, grabbed the ball as the Sacramento bench called a time out!
The Kings made their free throws down the stretch, and come out with the IMPRESSIVE comeback victory, 133-129.
This was the first time in NBA history any team has comeback from a 17 point deficit with 2:49 left in a game. 1/8379! LET’S GO!
Buddy Hield had one of the best games of his career, and year. This was after I said in my last article that he played his best game of the year in the Kings previous game vs the Bulls.
Hield had 42 points, 20 in the 4th quarter, on 14/24 FG’s, 9/14 from 3 point range, 5 rebounds, 3 assists.
Kind of an eerie and fitting stat line, 24 5 3 (8) 42…. <3 to Kobe.
Bjelica had another solid game, 20 points on 7/10 FG, 4/6 3 pointers, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks!
Fox was a key contributor to the Kings comeback. He had 22 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists.
Minnesota’s Andrew Wiggins had a stellar game. He had 36 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists.
Both teams shot incredibly well, or just played terrible defense….
The Kings shot 50% from the field, 44-88. The T’Wolves shot 50% from 3, and the Kings shot 45% from 3.
The real difference was the free throw line. The Kings went 27-34, while the T’Wolves went 20-33.
Sacramento lost the rebound battle 61-49.
The Kings vs Timberwolves committed 16 turnovers and the Wolves committed 22. The Kings scored 19 points off turnovers, and the Wolves 22.
The Kings head back home to face the OKC Thunder on Wednesday.
I think the Kings will… lose, but hopefully we stay on the right track and stay healthy!
It ALWAYS has been and ALWAYS will be… GO SACRAMENTO KINGS!
-SpikeballTom
For the Love of the Game By Tom Witt
