One day removed from the tragic loss of Kobe Bryant, the Kings headed to Minnesota to face off against the Timberwolves.
In tribute to the legend, Andrew Wiggins, after Minnesota won the opening tip, placed the ball on the free throw line which happened to be the exact spot where Bryant passed Michael Jordan on the all time scoring list, and took an eight second violation. This was then followed up by a 24 second shot clock violation by Sacramento.
As for the rest of the game, it wasn’t very close.
Minnesota came out firing and could not miss a three, eventually setting their franchise record in three point field goals made in a game with 23.
The only bright spot throughout the bombarding artillery of Minnesota’s shooting was Buddy Hield, who looked to be channeling his inner Mamba through the number 24 on his jersey.
The Kings started the fourth quarter down by 22 and halfway through the same quarter, the Timberwolves held the same lead.
The Kings began chipping at the lead and with less than four minutes left, they trailed by 15. By this point, most fans, including myself, had turned off the game or left the arena.
Even with 1:46 left on the clock, Sacramento trailed by 14 points, but there was no singing fat lady in sight.
The Kings flipped a switch, immediately going on a 13 to 3 run through a minute and a half of play, mostly with the help of some Buddy magic. Then all of a sudden, Sacramento pulls within 3.
With the dwindled lead, Wiggins missed a jump shot and then intentionally fouled De’Aaron Fox with four seconds left to send him to the line so he couldn’t attempt a three pointer.
After making the first attempt, Fox intentionally threw the ball off of the rim to send it right back into his hands. He then drove to the hoop and finished with an easy layup.
Somehow, the Kings came back in this game, and after stopping KAT on the opposite side of the floor, the game went into overtime.
After trading baskets to start OT, the Kings got a couple of important stops and capitalized on the subsequent opportunities, leading them to a four point victory.
Buddy Hield took the opportunity in the post game interview to speak emotionally on the effect Kobe Bryant had on his life, and moreover, that the game was because of him.
Hield finished the night with 42 points on, you guessed it, 24 shots while shooting 9/14 from deep.
The Kings performed a miracle in Minnesota, extending the T-Wolves losing streak to 10. It was an emotion-packed game to say the least, and for good reason, too, as it lead to one of the greatest comebacks in Kings history.
