Monk delivers in OT as Kings beat Lakers 132-127 on 20th anniversary of James NBA debut

The Sacramento Kings defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 132-127 in overtime, spoiling LeBron James' 20th NBA anniversary. Malik Monk scores 22 points.

In a thrilling overtime showdown, the Sacramento Kings emerged victorious against the Los Angeles Lakers, spoiling the 20th anniversary of LeBron James' NBA debut in Sacramento. Malik Monk played a crucial role, scoring 11 of his 22 points in overtime and assisting Kevin Huerter for a crucial 3-pointer with just 32 seconds remaining. De'Aaron Fox was the standout performer for the Kings, contributing 37 points and eight assists. Despite returning from an ankle injury earlier in the fourth quarter, Fox displayed incredible resilience and scored eight points in the final six minutes of regulation. Domantas Sabonis also made his presence felt with 12 points and an impressive 15 rebounds.

LeBron James, the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft for the Cleveland Cavaliers, put up a strong performance with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists. The game also featured Derek Richardson, one of the referees from James' debut game back on October 29, 2003, adding a nostalgic touch to the occasion.

Anthony Davis contributed 30 points and 16 rebounds for the Lakers, who found themselves trailing by 15 points before mounting a comeback in the fourth quarter to force overtime with a 9-2 run.

Despite a slow start, Malik Monk found his rhythm in overtime, making all four of his attempts, including two crucial 3-pointers. He also played a pivotal role in Huerter's 3-pointer that gave the Kings a five-point lead, ultimately securing the win with a pair of free throws in the final seconds.

The Lakers struggled to find consistency on offense throughout the game, despite six players scoring in double figures. They shot just 39.5% in the first half and committed 12 turnovers. The Kings' strong defense limited the Lakers to a 37.5% shooting percentage and dominated the first quarter with an impressive 41 points.

De'Aaron Fox, who had an outstanding performance with 39 points in the season opener against the Warriors, continued to impress despite rolling his ankle in the fourth quarter. After being helped off the court and into the Kings locker room, Fox returned after missing only 44 seconds of game time and immediately made an impact with his third 3-pointer.

Kevin Huerter also broke out of a shooting slump, contributing 12 points in the game after going 0-for-9 in previous games.

Looking ahead, the Lakers will return to Los Angeles to face the Orlando Magic on Monday, while the Kings will travel south to play the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. The Warriors previously defeated the Kings 122-114 in their last meeting.

Overall, it was a thrilling and memorable game that showcased the resilience and talent of both teams. The Kings' ability to overcome adversity and spoil LeBron James' anniversary in Sacramento made for a captivating contest.

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