In a thrilling conclusion to Thursday’s NBA action, the Sacramento Kings edged out the San Antonio Spurs 131-129, thanks to Domantas Sabonis‘ crucial dunk in the dying seconds of the game.
Sabonis’ all-around performance, including 31 points, 17 rebounds, and nine assists, continued his impressive streak of double-doubles, showcasing his pivotal role in the Kings’ victory.
“Just to get this win, it’s great,” Sabonis said. “It looked pretty ugly there with a minute left. … Thankfully we got the win, but there’s still a lot to learn.”
De’Aaron Fox was instrumental in the Kings’ fourth-quarter rally, scoring 17 of his 33 points before fouling out. The game’s intensity was heightened by the absence of the Spurs’ leading scorer, Victor Wembanyama, due to injury, marking San Antonio’s continued struggles without their star rookie.
The Spurs also faced adversity with Cedi Osman exiting early due to an ankle injury, compounding the team’s challenges on the road, where they have struggled to secure wins.
In a dramatic finish, Malik Monk‘s tying three-pointer set the stage for Sabonis’ decisive dunk, capping a 7-0 run that sealed the victory for Sacramento. Despite missing a final shot to win, the Spurs’ Devin Vassell‘s 30-point effort did not go unnoticed, earning praise from Coach Gregg Popovich for his aggressive and confident play.
“Obviously, we’d rather not have been in that position, but at the end of the day, it’s a close game against an NBA team,” Fox said. “You try to execute down the stretch and try to get stops whenever you can.”
Despite the loss, the Spurs showed promise with contributions from Malaki Branham, Keldon Johnson, and Zach Collins, highlighting the team’s potential despite current struggles. Coach Popovich lamented the young team’s mental errors in crucial moments, emphasizing areas for growth.
As the Kings look to build on this win and the Spurs aim to bounce back, both teams are set for challenging matchups in their next games. This encounter not only provided a showcase of individual brilliance but also underlined the competitive spirit and resilience of both squads.
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