Quick Read
- Sacramento Kings ended a five-game losing streak with a 125-124 overtime win over the Houston Rockets.
- Dennis Schroder hit a game-winning three-pointer with 2.2 seconds left in OT, finishing with 24 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds.
- Russell Westbrook and Keegan Murray provided crucial support, while rookie Maxime Raynaud recorded a double-double.
- The Kings overcame a 14-point deficit despite missing key players due to injury.
- Sacramento faces the Detroit Pistons next in their holiday homestand.
Kings Rally Late to Stun Rockets in Overtime
Sunday night at Golden 1 Center, Sacramento Kings fans finally saw the famous Beam lit again after a month of disappointment. The team, battered by injuries and mired in a five-game losing streak, staged a dramatic comeback to defeat the Houston Rockets 125-124 in overtime—a performance that was as unexpected as it was desperately needed.
- Both squads came in tired, each playing the second night of a back-to-back. The Rockets, favored by most betting lines due to Sacramento’s injury woes, looked set to cruise when they took a 14-point lead with less than ten minutes left in regulation.
- But led by offseason additions Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroder, the Kings showed a grit that had been missing for weeks.
Clutch Performances Spark Sacramento’s Turnaround
Early on, Russell Westbrook came out swinging against his former teammate Kevin Durant, scoring eight points in the first four minutes to set the tone. Keegan Murray chipped in with a ten-point first quarter, but defensive lapses allowed Houston to capitalize from deep—the Rockets hit 10-of-18 three-point attempts before halftime, building an 11-point advantage.
By the third quarter, the Kings were still in a double-digit hole, but the fourth saw a shift. Keegan Murray and Dennis Schroder spearheaded a 16-9 run, energizing the crowd and cutting the deficit to just two points. Mistakes nearly doomed Sacramento: turnovers and offensive boards for Houston allowed precious seconds to tick away, and with under a minute to play, the Rockets still led by five.
Then came the chaos. A timely steal by rookie Maxime Raynaud led to a DeMar DeRozan bucket. After a missed Rockets three, Schroder found Westbrook in the corner—despite a rough shooting night, Westbrook drained a game-tying triple, sending the game to overtime as the arena erupted.
Overtime Drama: Schroder’s Heroics Seal the Win
In the extra period, Keegan Murray continued his hot hand, but it was Dennis Schroder who took over. The veteran guard scored nine of his 24 points in overtime, including a cold-blooded three-pointer from the corner with just over two seconds left. That shot capped a night where he posted a season-high 24 points, ten assists, and seven rebounds off the bench—arguably his best game as a King.
DeRozan, also pivotal, finished with 27 points and nine assists. Westbrook, despite shooting struggles, tallied 21 points and 13 rebounds, his late-game heroics crucial to the victory.
On the Houston side, Alperen Sengun led with 28 points and six rebounds, while Durant recorded 24 points and ten boards. Jabari Smith Jr. briefly gave the Rockets the lead with free throws in OT, but ultimately, Sacramento’s resilience won out.
Rookie Contributions and Injury Impact
Maxime Raynaud, thrust into a starting role due to Domantas Sabonis’ injury, continued his impressive rookie campaign with 12 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out in overtime. His third consecutive double-double places him in elite company among Kings first-year players.
The Kings’ injury report remains lengthy: Sabonis is sidelined with a meniscus tear, Zach LaVine with an ankle sprain, and Drew Eubanks with a thumb fracture—all out for multiple weeks. Doug McDermott was questionable but did not play. Houston, meanwhile, missed Fred VanVleet and Dorian Finney-Smith, both out for the season.
Betting and Statistical Context
Pre-game odds heavily favored the Rockets (spread: Houston -12), and most analysts anticipated a tough night for Sacramento. Yet, the Kings defied expectations, not only covering the spread but also hitting the over on a 223-point total. The result was a rare home underdog win for Sacramento, now 7-22 on the season.
Alperen Sengun, expected to post strong numbers, finished below his projected points-rebounds-assists (PRA) line, while Schroder exceeded his own PRA expectations—reflecting how unpredictable this matchup proved for bettors and fans alike. (Yahoo Sports, NBA.com)
Looking Ahead: Can the Kings Build Momentum?
Sunday’s win didn’t erase the challenges facing Sacramento. The team’s defensive issues and injury woes remain, and the road ahead is tough: the Kings host the powerhouse Detroit Pistons next, followed by matchups with the Mavericks, Lakers, Clippers, and Celtics over the holiday stretch.
Yet, for one night, effort trumped adversity. Head coach Doug Christie’s willingness to shake up the rotation—bringing back Malik Monk after benching him for Keon Ellis—paid off. The energy and fight displayed against Houston set a new standard for a team desperate to reconnect with its fans and rediscover its identity.
- Next Game: Sacramento Kings vs. Detroit Pistons, Tuesday, December 23rd, Golden 1 Center.
For Sacramento, this overtime win was less about flawless execution and more about heart—a reminder that, in the NBA, sometimes resilience is the biggest difference-maker. If the Kings can bottle this effort, their season may yet hold more surprises.