Notes: Kings Beat L.A. For Kobe's Last Game In Sacramento

In Kobe Bryant’s last game in Sacramento, the Kings (15-21) managed to blow a 27 point lead against the Los Angeles Lakers (8-29) but held on for the victory, 118-115.

Early on in the game, the Kings were ahead 25-4, but they needed their own comeback late in the fourth with a floater from Rajon Rondo to squeak out a win. Kobe Bryant made 10 of 18 shots and was 6-for-8 on free throws finishing the game with 28 points.

There were a lot of fans cheering for Bryant in Sleep Train Arena, who has been doing a farewell tour for his final season in the NBA. Kings’ general manager Vlade Divac shared a hug and some words with Kobe after the game. Vlade was the player the Lakers traded to the Charlotte Hornets for Bryant. In classic Vlade fashion, he gave Kobe a gift: an #8 Charlotte Hornets Jersey.

More from Kings News

But Kobe was on the bench in the fourth quarter when the Lakers decided to really start playing. L.A. was able to take the lead late in the game that capped off a huge comeback made by their youngest players. D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson had a combined 23 fourth-quarter points during a 46–18 run in the second half.

The Lakers were leading 113-112 when Russell rolled his ankle and had to leave the game. After Rajon Rondo hit a late shot, he then forced the Lakers to turn it over and secure the win for Sacramento. In the fourth quarter, the Kings gave away a 16-point lead and were outscored 29-16.

Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

DeMarcus Cousins had a game-high 29 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. DeMarcus also hit a clutch free throw in the fourth quarter, on another poor free throw shooting night by the Kings, shooting just 66.7%.

Notable game highlights include:

Cousins might have sprained his ankle in the final seconds
Rudy Gay finished with 18 points
Quincy Acy also had 18 points, a season high
Ben McLemore had 16 points, and Kosta Koufos had 14
Rajon Rondo tallied 12 assists
D’Angelo Russell scored a career high 27 points
Actor Jamie Foxx was sitting courtside

If there is one word that best defines the Sacramento Kings so far this season it’s “inconsistent”. Recently they have played well on the road and have struggled at home. They beat the Thunder and Raptors on their home courts but lose to the 76ers at Sleep Train. They led by 20 for most of the game last night and blew it all and almost lost to the Lakers.

But with that said, the Kings won last night, pulling them within 1/2 game of the Utah Jazz for the West’s No. 8 seed. Making the playoffs would be a moral victory for the Kings, but this has more to do with the decline of the once dominant Western division than anything else.

For their next game, Sacramento will host Golden State on Saturday.

Home/Kings News

Game 36 Notes: Kings Beat L.A. For Kobe’s Last Game In Sacramento

By Gabe Callahan | Jan 8, 2016