SACRAMENTO -- Basketball took a backstage on Saturday night as the Sacramento Kings went all out for the final game at Sleep Train Arena. Former players and coaches filled the building to say goodbye to the iconic home of the Kings that has seen plenty over its 28 years.
The Kings players matched the intensity of the fans for most of the night, attacking the Oklahoma City Thunder at every opportunity to come away with an emotional 114-110 win.
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With Rajon Rondo taking another night off to rest for the offseason, Darren Collison stepped up. The veteran point guard went at fellow UCLA alum Russell Westbrook, finishing with 27 points on 10-for-16 shooting and added eight assists.
Seth Curry put on a shooting display in the first half, setting a new career-high in 3-pointers made in a game with five before the teams could get back to the locker room. Curry hit a rough spot in late second and third quarter, but rebounded to finish the game with 20 points on 6-for-10 shooting from deep.
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Rudy Gay went toe-to-toe with Kevin Durant, matching him for most of the night. Gay finished with 24 points and eight rebounds in an inspired effort. His two free throws with a second remaining sealed the deal for the Kings.
NBA
DeMarcus Cousins struggled with foul trouble, but still managed to post 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 32 minutes of action before fouling out late in the fourth. Quincy Acy added seven points and eight rebounds off the bench.
Durant got it going late to score 31 points, dish out eight assists and grab six rebounds, but it wasn’t enough.
Westbrook didn’t post a triple-double like he has 17 other times this season, but he still had a solid night. The superstar guard dropped in 24 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in the loss.
Serge Ibaka added 14 points and eight rebounds and Enes Kanter finished with 11 off the OKC bench.
STANDOUT PERFORMER
Curry was cooking. The 25-year-old guard continues to make the Kings coaching staff look bad for not playing him earlier in the season. He hit his first five 3-pointers in the first half and he created for others as well.
TURNING POINT
The Kings rode the emotion of the night and finished the Thunder off with a big fourth quarter from Collison and timely free throws from Gay.
INJURY UPDATE
Omri Casspi missed his fourth straight game with a strained right hamstring and during pregame, he confirmed to CSN California that he is likely out for the remainder of the season. Marco Belinelli sat again with a sore right foot, making it eight straight games missed for the veteran wing. Rajon Rondo sat out to rest.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Kings hit the road for the final two games of the season. Monday night they face the Phoenix Suns at the Talking Stick Resort Arena and they finish up the season at the Toyota Center against the Houston Rockets.