Fox’s Heroics Not Enough
The Sacramento Kings’ star center Domantas Sabonis achieved his 73rd double-double of the season, breaking the NBA single-season record. Despite De’Aaron Fox’s impressive 40-point performance, the Kings fell short against the Celtics, losing 100-101 after Xavier Tillman’s crucial shot.
Late Game Drama
With just 27 seconds left on the clock, Fox’s three-pointer briefly gave the Kings the lead. However, the Celtics managed to pull ahead, and Fox’s last-second jumper missed, sealing the Kings’ one-point loss.
Impressive Performances
Fox went 16 for 29 from the field, including 7 of 13 from beyond the arc, to score a game-high 40 points. Sabonis contributed 16 points and 16 rebounds, marking his record-breaking double-double. Keegan Murray also chipped in with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Key Players for Celtics
Payton Pritchard led the Celtics with 21 points off the bench, while Kristaps Porzingis added 20 points and 11 rebounds. Jayson Tatum contributed 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Celtics’ Dominance
With this win, the Celtics have now won 13 of their last 15 games and extended their home winning streak to 12. Currently boasting a record of 61 wins and 16 losses, they hold the top spot in the Eastern Conference and the entire league, ensuring home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Poor Shooting Night for Kings
The Kings struggled with their shooting, making only 38 out of 99 field goal attempts, resulting in a field goal percentage of 38.4%. Their three-point shooting was even worse, with only 17 out of 51 attempts finding the mark, translating to a three-point percentage of 33.3%.
Playoff Race Tightens
Despite their efforts to secure a spot in the top 6 in the Western Conference and avoid the play-in tournament, the Kings’ loss puts them at a record of 44 wins and 33 losses, with no gap separating them from the 9th-placed Lakers. (Nice88)