With Kevin Durant sitting out with a sprained big toe, the Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the Sacramento Kings for the first time ever in OKC, losing 116-104 on Monday night, January 4, at Chesapeake Arena in Oklahoma City.
Advertisement
Irving scored a game-high 25 points in what was easily his best game since coming back from a fractured left kneecap in the NBA Finals. His status is day-to-day, but head coach Billy Donovan said before the game that he didn’t consider it serious. But virtually disappeared in the second half finishing the game with 17 points and 15 assists. Six players scored in double-figures, led by DeMarcus Cousins’ 32 in just 27 minutes of action as the Kings played their best offensive game of the season. Morrow missed a 3-pointer on the other end.
Gay was called for a technical with 4:07 remaining, and the Thunder cut the deficit to eight after the free throw and two foul shots by Adams.
Sacramento led 68-66 at halftime, and the Kings closed the third quarter on a 9-2 run to take a 90-82 lead.
“I thought when we put [Marco] Belinelli into the game we got some rhythm and some excitement about it”, said Coach Karl.
It was matchup that the Thunder can ultimately chalk up to poor execution and a lack of Durant, but with a tough game coming up against Memphis, possibly without the former MVP, it’s up to OKC to prove they can win with one of their superstars.
Advertisement
Durant was named co-Western Conference player of the month with teammate Russell Westbrook earlier in the day. Rookie C Willie Cauley-Stein made his return to Kings lineup after missing the past month with a severe finger dislocation. Kings F Omri Casspi missed Monday’s game with upper back soreness.
