HOUSTON -- Turn out the lights, the party’s over.
After an incredible run this season that had Sacramento blowing away all projections, the Kings officially were eliminated from NBA playoff contention Saturday night at the Toyota Center.
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James Harden got the shots and the calls he wanted throughout the evening, posting a 50-point triple-double to lead the Rockets to a 119-108 win.
Bogdan Bogdanovic kept the Kings afloat early, and four players scored 18 or more for Sacramento, but Houston’s offense was too much to handle.
Here are three takeaways as the Kings fell in Houston to drop two games below the .500 mark on the season at 37-39.
Marvelous Marvin
NBA
With Nemanja Bjelica sitting out, rookie Marvin Bagley III picked up the start for the Kings. He started out slowly as he tried to find his place in the offense. Once he got it going, the 20-year-old was unstoppable.
Houston loves to go small, and Bagley found plenty of open space up and over the top of the Rockets' defenders. He attacked the basket in the third quarter, scoring 14 of his 20 points in the period. He also chipped in 12 rebounds in the loss.
This was a glimpse of what is to come for Sacramento next season when Bagley steps into the starting lineup and plays major minutes for coach Dave Joerger’s club.
Bogi Ball
Bogdanovic had some major struggles in the middle of the season, but he’s finishing the campaign on a high note.
The second-year guard was behind the Kings’ second-quarter rally, and he made a difference late in the game as well.
Bogdanovic finished the night with 24 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. The Kings would love to see more of this from him next season.
Fox and Hield
The Kings' starting backcourt is finishing the season with a bang, and they showed no fear against the Rockets' star-studded backcourt.
De’Aaron Fox turned on the jets to finish with 18 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. He played incredible defense against both Harden and Chris Paul on the evening, even if the two guards finished with big numbers.
With Fox flying up and down the court, Buddy Hield managed to get loose for 21 points on 8-of-18 shooting and knocked down 3 of 8 from long range.