The NBA remains shutdown because of the COVID-19 outbreak, and although it is surreal to be living without basketball right now, we can still do some throwbacks to feed our souls.
Looking back, the Sacramento Kings have played a few times on March 26 over the last 20 years.
Let’s take a look at three wins in particular that took place on this date.
2002 at Arco Arena: Kings 107 Clippers 90
Chris Webber came into this game ready to dominate. The power forward had missed a game-winning buzzer beater against the hated Los Angeles Lakers in the team’s precious outing and took it out on L.A.’s other team.
He finished with 35 points and 13 rebounds, while Doug Christie chipped in 19 in the easy win.
Webber also schooled an up-and-coming against, holding him to just three points and four rebounds.
“I really made an effort to keep the ball out of his hands. The less he shoots, the better chance I have,” Webber said after the game. “It was a concentrated effort. I really tried hard to defend him.”
The Kings improved to 50-19 with the win and only had 1⁄2 game lead on the Lakers. This win kick-started an 11-game winning streak that helped the team clinch the best record in the NBA that season. The cowbells were always rocking at Arco in those days.
2017 at Staples Center: Kings 98 Clippers 97
In former head coach Dave Joerger’s first season as head coach, this ranks up there as the wildest win.
The Kings were down 85-67 in the fourth quarter and went on an epic 31-12 run to comeback and stun the Lob City version of the Clippers.
Willie Cauley-Stein had the game winning layup late in the game and Chris Paul missed a chance to win it at the buzzer.
Darren Collison had 19 for Sacramento, while Buddy Hield scored 15, nine of which came in a 1:11 span late in the fourth to bring the Kings within three.
Here are the highlights from the come back:
2019 at American Airlines Center: Kings 125 Mavericks 121
De’Aaron Fox led the way 19 points and scored the game clinching layup with 26 seconds to go in the fourth on a put back, putting the Kings up by four.
Why is this a significant win? Sacramento improved to 37-37, marking the first time the Kings were .500 this late in a season since 2005-06 under Rick Adelman.
Of course, Joerger was let go, despite the team’s 12-win improvement from the previous year.
What memories do you have of any of these games?
0 Comments
Badge Legend