By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Failing to meet the expectations of the crowd in Golden 1 Center, the Sacramento Kings were also dealing with boos besides the resiliency of the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.
“We are at home. I don’t agree with that,” noted Domantas Sabonis in trying to ignore the widespread disapproval of his side’s efforts, “I understand that, but we are here fighting for our city. I just kind of let that slide.”
The 27-year-old Lithuanian forward/center made a steal and quickly scored with 7.7 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. “I just hurried up and dunked it. I was scared the guy was going to come from behind and try to contest,” he described the key play, leading to a win at the top of a six-game homestand.
“Just to get this win, it’s great,” he added after posting a 31-point, 17-rebound double-double to go with nine assists over 38 minutes, “It looked pretty ugly there with a minute left.”
The late rally improved the team coached by Mike Brown to 36-26 in the 2023-24 Regular Season. The Kings sit half a game outside the Western Conference places leading to a direct berth in the Playoffs. Enjoying a safe distance from potential elimination, the last 20 outings are attached to a sprint to the best possible seed in the postseason bracket.
Resuming action on the upcoming edition of NBA Sundays, the Houston Rockets and red-hot Turkish center Alperen Sengun are the next visitors at Golden 1 Center.