Kings Prevail in Thriller Despite Doncic's 31
The Sacramento Kings capped off their preseason schedule with a narrow 117-116 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. Despite a dominant 31-point performance from Lakers star Luka Doncic, the Kings were able to hold on for the win in the final tune-up before the regular season.
Key Moments
The game came down to the wire, with the Kings clinging to a slim one-point lead in the closing seconds. The Lakers had a chance to win it, but a last-second shot attempt from Doncic fell short, allowing Sacramento to escape with the victory.
Earlier in the contest, the Kings overcame a slow start, rallying back from an early double-digit deficit to take the lead by halftime. Rookie Nique Clifford continued his strong preseason, providing a spark off the bench for Sacramento.
Player Impact
Doncic was the clear standout, pouring in 31 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 6 assists. However, the Kings were able to get balanced scoring, with six players reaching double figures, led by De'Aaron Fox's 22 points.
The win was an encouraging sign for the Kings, who had struggled through the first three games of the preseason. Despite a number of key injuries, including to Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray, Sacramento showed resilience in securing the victory over their California rivals.
TL;DR
- The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 117-116 in their preseason finale
- Luka Doncic scored 31 points for the Lakers, but the Kings prevailed in a close contest
- Rookie Nique Clifford continued his strong preseason for Sacramento
- The Kings overcame early struggles and injuries to key players to earn the narrow victory