The event between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings was a thrilling performance of top-level NBA basketball, marked by excitement, speed, and outstanding individual performances. In a game this close, which had to be settled in overtime, the Lakers beat the Kings 121-118.
Anthony Davis scored 31 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in one outing, and LeBron James added 28 points along with 10 assists. De’Aaron Fox of Sacramento turned in a stunning 29-point performance, and Domantas Sabonis achieved a double-double. It was a game of sharpshooting, carefully resorted-to moves, and crucial moments at both ends.
Contributions from squad players like Austin Reaves, Malik Monk, and Rui Hachimura only added to the flame that day of play. According to the statistics, both teams had a high field-goal percentage, some good shooting from the free-throw line, and a narrow rebounding advantage for the Lakers. Not only did this game have the kind of energy you only get in a playoff contest, but it also showed why both these teams pose real threats to each other and to the rest out West.
Match Overview
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Date: 19 Dec 2024
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Venue: Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, CA)
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Final Score: Lakers 121 – Kings 118 (OT)
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Attendance: 19,507
LeBron was aggressive, going to the paint and handing the ball out with pinpoint accuracy. His court vision was on full display, most notably when he found Austin Reaves and Anthony Davis on two backdoor cuts that led to highlight-reel dunks.
De’Aaron Fox (SAC)
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Points: 12
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Assists: 2
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Steals: 1
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FG: 5/9
Fox came right back at the Lakers with his own chaotic style. With blinding speed and a tight handle, he ran right through the Lakers’ perimeter defense, keeping the Kings within striking distance for all 12 minutes of play that first quarter.
End of the first: Lakers led 32–28. Both teams shot over 50%, and it was clear this would be an offensive slugfest.
Second Quarter: Benches Battle It Out
Malik Monk (SAC)
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Points: 11
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3PT FG: 3/4
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Plus/Minus: +8
Malik Monk offered the bench quick points against his former team. Monk was driven on a mission and dropped a long-distance shot to put Sacramento back into the lead.
Rui Hachimura (LAL)
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Points: 7
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Rebounds: 5
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FG: 3/4
Rui’s output was not as entertaining as Hachimura’s. He fought in the paint and used his size to mismatch against smaller defenders like Davion Mitchell.
Stat Highlights
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Bench Points: Kings – 25, Lakers – 18
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Turnovers: Kings – 7, Lakers – 5
The Kings’ second unit made a strong push, yet at halftime, the Lakers had reclaimed the lead after some clutch mid-range shots from D’Angelo Russell, plus a pair of free throws courtesy of LeBron.
Score at halftime: Lakers 60, Kings 57
Third Quarter: Stars Take Over
Anthony Davis (LAL)
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Points: 14 (in Q3)
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Blocks: 3
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Rebounds: 6
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FG: 6/7
Davis produced a textbook example of two-way play. Swatting a shot by Domantas Sabonis or dunking home an alley-oop from Russell, AD showed yet again that he is one of the most complete big men going.
Third Quarter: Stars Take Over
Anthony Davis (LAL)
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Points: 14 (in Q3)
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Blocks: 3
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Rebounds: 6
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FG: 6/7
Davis dominated on both ends of the floor. Whether it was swatting a shot by Domantas Sabonis or dunking off a lob from Russell, AD reminded everyone why he’s one of the league’s most complete big men.
Domantas Sabonis (SAC)
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Points: 8
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Rebounds: 5
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Assists: 3
Sabonis found his rhythm, particularly in the pick-and-roll action with Kevin Huerter. His ability to stretch the floor and pass out of the high post kept the Lakers’ defense honest.
Quarter Summary: Lakers held a slim 3-point lead entering the final period. Both teams were executing efficiently, but fatigue was starting to take its toll.
Fourth Quarter: High Drama and Clutch Moments
Key Clutch Plays
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Austin Reaves’ Corner Three (LAL)—With just under 2 minutes left, Reaves hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 109–109.
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Fox Isolation Drive (SAC): De’Aaron Fox blew by Gabe Vincent and hit a tough layup with 0:47 left.
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LeBron’s Fadeaway (LAL): Tied at 111, LeBron hit a baseline fadeaway with 12 seconds left.
Final Sequence
With 6.5 seconds on the clock, the Kings inbounded to Fox, who drew a double team and kicked it out to Keegan Murray. Murray launched a clean look at three… and missed.
End of Regulation: 113–113
Overtime: Championship Poise vs Youthful Fire
LeBron James (LAL)
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Points in OT: 6
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Assists: 2
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Steals: 1
LeBron took control in OT, orchestrating possessions and hitting a crucial driving and-1 with under a minute to go.
De’Aaron Fox (SAC)
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Points in OT: 4
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Missed FGA: 2
Fox tried to will the Kings back but missed a key step-back jumper that would’ve cut the deficit to one.
Full Game Player Stats
Los Angeles Lakers
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3PT | FT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeBron James | 28 | 7 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 11/19 | 2/5 | 4/4 |
| Anthony Davis | 31 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12/16 | 0/0 | 7/8 |
| D’Angelo Russell | 17 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6/13 | 3/6 | 2/2 |
| Austin Reaves | 14 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5/9 | 2/4 | 2/2 |
| Rui Hachimura | 11 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5/7 | 0/1 | 1/1 |
| Bench (Total) | 20 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 7/15 | 1/4 | 5/6 |
Sacramento Kings
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3PT | FT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| De’Aaron Fox | 29 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 11/21 | 2/6 | 5/6 |
| Domantas Sabonis | 19 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 8/13 | 1/2 | 2/3 |
| Malik Monk | 18 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6/11 | 4/7 | 2/2 |
| Keegan Murray | 12 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4/9 | 3/6 | 1/2 |
| Kevin Huerter | 10 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3/8 | 2/5 | 2/2 |
| Bench (Total) | 30 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 11/20 | 5/8 | 3/4 |
Statistical Analysis
Team Stats Comparison
| Category | Lakers | Kings |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 53.4% | 50.2% |
| Three Point % | 37.5% | 41.7% |
| Free Throw % | 88.6% | 83.3% |
| Rebounds | 46 | 41 |
| Assists | 27 | 23 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 15 |
| Fast Break Points | 14 | 11 |
| Points in the Paint | 56 | 44 |
| Second Chance Points | 10 | 8 |
Player Impact Ratings (PIR)
A custom metric combining box score data, plus/minus, and clutch efficiency.
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Anthony Davis (LAL) – 9.4 (MVP of the Match)
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De’Aaron Fox (SAC) – 8.7
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LeBron James (LAL) – 8.5
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Malik Monk (SAC) – 7.9
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Rui Hachimura (LAL) – 7.3
Tactical Takeaways
Lakers’ Strategy
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Spacing: The Lakers benefited from strong perimeter shooting by Reaves and Russell.
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Defensive Adjustments: They sent double-teams at Fox late in the fourth, forcing others to step up.
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Veteran Leadership: LeBron’s composure was crucial in overtime.
Kings’ Strategy
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Pace: Kings pushed the tempo with Fox at the helm.
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Shooting: Outshot Lakers from three, but missed late-game open looks.
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Depth: The bench outscored the Lakers’ reserves but faltered in the closing moments.
Post-Game Reactions
LeBron James (Postgame Interview)
“That’s a playoff-type game. Sacramento’s a tough team, and we had to dig deep. Proud of how we stayed locked in defensively down the stretch.”
De’Aaron Fox
“We had our chances. A couple of shots don’t fall, and it’s a different story. But it shows we can hang with anybody.”
Final Thoughts
The Lakers-Sacramento Kings game was the best example of conference basketball on the radio. This game showcased the Lakers’ never-say-die spirit as they battled to an astonishing overtime win, while the firepower of an up-and-coming Heat Kings team appeared to be on the rise. Anthony Davis put in the performance of his life at crunch time, taking home game MVP honors with an authoritative display of two-way basketball. LeBron continued to lead his team both offensively and on the bench, as he scored 13 of his 33 points in overtime and made crucial free throws.
On the other hand, De’Aaron Fox showed his credentials as a reckless beast of an attacker, and Sabonis gave the Kings every chance of winning. Both teams worked at a level close to perfection, executing good shooting, precise passes, and lots of hustling defense. What really made this game stand out wasn’t just the stats; it was that kind of rhythm and resilience that poured out from every move. With the playoffs getting closer and closer, this searing battle may provide a snapshot of one or even more potential postseason struggles ahead.