Apr 17, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings fans hold up a sign during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Sleep Train Arena. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Sacramento Kings 112-108. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

The Kings played Los Angeles in the season finale with the dark cloud of relocation looming overhead. A packed house, a gritty effort by the Kings, a double-digit deficit, a feverish comeback, a hot-handed shooting guard throwing daggers, falling just short. Fans refusing to leave. Grant and Jerry with an emotional sendoff, followed by a highlight package with a touching song and a grown man crying in his living room.

2011. 2013.

Lots of similarities. We’ve been here before.

But tonight just felt different. There’s hope this time.

The maximum 17,317 jammed into Sleep Train Arena. For the last time ever? Nobody knows but that wasn’t the vibe. It was the last chance THIS SEASON for the Sacramento faithful to cheer on their team. Their Sacramento Kings. The gear, the chants, the signs, the purple, the passion…you can’t beat it.

And how could you not be proud of your team? Your 28-54 team. Can you find fault with a single player on this night? Hell no. These are our players, they recognized the magnitude of this game, and they came to play.

DeMarcus Cousins putting aside the theatrics and punishing the Clippers (best game ever for DMC?). The surprise of Travis Outlaw rescuing the Kings early. Marcus Thornton doing what Marcus Thornton does — dropping bombs in crunch time. Keep going…Isaiah going toe-to-toe with Chris Paul, Jason Thompson classy and effective during and after the game, Pat Patterson further endearing himself to Kings fans with relentless effort.

Love every single one of them.

The Clippers got the win. In the end, a star-studded lineup overcame our loveable losers. Didn’t matter. Sacramento won again Wednesday. The city showed out. And they didn’t leave at the buzzer. Thousands stuck around deep into the night. Grateful players, like Thompson and Thornton, returned to the court, signing for fans and expressing their thanks to a fanbase that has supported them regardless of wins and losses.

That’s all we can do. We left it all on the court. And now we leave it in the hands of the NBA to do what’s right.

All the similarities between 2011 and 2013. All we ask is for one more…

Our Kings staying in our town — SACRAMENTO.

Apr 15, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans (13) attempts a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the first half at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

And the limp to the finish line continues. With Oklahoma City still trying to lock down the Western Conference No. 1 seed, the Sacramento Kings had to face the full Thunder roster. That spelled trouble right from the jump. It was another game that became hard to analyze — the Thunder were in full control at all times, and Keith Smart again gave the reserves extended run. The result — a 104-95 victory for OKC — ensures the Kings will not hit the 30-win mark for the fifth straight season.

TYREKE, OVER AND OUT – Tyreke Evans was having a strong first quarter, keeping the Kings alive amid a Thunder downpour of offense. Unfortunately, his night, and likely his season, came to an abrupt end. Evans (10 MIN, 8 PTS, 4-5 FG, 1 AST, 1 STL) slipped on a wet spot on the floor after converting a lay-up. The fall torqued his left leg, and Evans was unable to leave the floor on his own power. The diagnosis was a quad strain, and Keith Smart said he has no plans to let Evans take the floor Wednesday against the Clippers. While Evans will be a restricted free agent this offseason, it is anybody’s guess as to what direction a new ownership group will want to go with the roster. As such, the possiblity exists that this was Evans’ last game with the Kings. It shouldn’t be. Evans has earned an extension this season, as he has expanded his offensive game, learned to play off the ball and become one of the best defensive guards in the conference.

ALDRICH AGAIN – Every season, it seems the Kings bring in a fringe bench player late in the season and he flashes some legitimate skills. Last year, it was swingman Terrence Williams; a few years, Ike Diogu made a late splash. This year, the title is going to Cole Aldrich, though Toney Douglas could be considered in the same boat. Aldrich (23 MIN, 12 PTS, 6-6 FG, 13 REB) posted his second consecutive double-double against Oklahoma City. Labeling Aldrich an athlete is a stretch — he’s slow on his feet and far from graceful. But there is something to be said for a guy who knows his role. Against OKC, Aldrich just played within himself. He gobbled up rebounds, played large in the paint on defense and cleaned up the garbage around the rim. Aldrich may not return — the Kings have a full roster of guaranteed contracts — but it never hurts to have a seven-footer in your back pocket. And Aldrich has proven he can contribute positively.

FEISTY ISAIAH – As noted after Sunday’s game against Houston, you can just tell the constant losing is getting to Isaiah Thomas. Thomas (28 MIN, 16 PTS, 5-10 FG, 4-8 3FG, 4 REB, 2 AST, 5 TO) is a true competitor, and it pains him to see others playing without the passion he brings. The Kings point guard tried to motivate his teammates by playing with extra fire against the Thunder. Sensing the game slipping away in the third quarter, Thomas stepped up the effort and tried to carry the team’s offense. He may have tried to do too much, but it’s hard to fault the guy. Thomas even got into a dust-up with Russell Westbrook, prompting double technicals for the guards. It was good to see Smart stick with Thomas longer than the other starters in the second half. Isaiah wanted to win, and you have to respect anyone playing with that intensity at this point in the season.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS – DeMarcus Cousins wasn’t a happy camper. He narrowly avoided technicals on multiple occasions, clearly frustrated with a perceived lack of whistles. DMC (25 MIN, 7 PTS, 2-9 FG, 6 REB, 2 AST, 5 TO) was totally ineffective … Travis Outlaw was the Kings go-to guy in the second half (which speaks to the dire situation). Surprisingly, Outlaw (24 MIN, 15 PTS, 6-11 FG, 3 AST, 2 REB, 1 STL) wasn’t half bad … The Kings hit just 12-of-21 from the free throw line.