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Takeaways from the Kings and Clippers’ record-setting game

By Leocciano Callao

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Monk #0 of the Sacramento Kings reacts to the end of game buzzer between Norman Powell #24 and Eric Gordon #10 of the LA Clippers during a 176-175 double overtime Kings win at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Monk #0 of the Sacramento Kings reacts to the end of game buzzer between Norman Powell #24 and Eric Gordon #10 of the LA Clippers during a 176-175 double overtime Kings win at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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On Friday, Feb. 24, The Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Clippers embarked on the second-highest-scoring game in NBA history. The nail-biter between the two teams atop the Pacific Division and the third and fourth seeds in the Western Conference required two extra periods to determine a winner. At the end of 58 minutes, the Kings scraped the 176-175 road victory in the City of Angels.

A career-high 45 points from Malik Monk took the largest piece of the scoring pie. Monk had help from his teammate DeAaron Fox who had 42 of his own. On the other hand, Kawhi Leonard had 44 points to lead to Clippers ahead of Paul George’s 34-point shift.

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The game was exciting from start to finish. It was an incredible display of a rare occurrence in the division where the two teams that historically have the least success have found themselves on top of the heap. As the last sprint toward the Playoffs heats up, these teams look to clinch their spots and are en route to do so, assuming they don’t meet misfortune along the way.

On their first game back from the All-Star break, the Kings and Clippers immediately put the rest of the division and conference on notice– they have not missed a step. Here are the biggest takeaways for both teams after Friday’s action.

The Clippers made the right trades

After a trade window that initially sent him to the Utah Jazz, Russell Westbrook made a u-turn back to Los Angeles in a different uniform. Though he found comfort coming out of the bench towards to end of his stint with the Lakers, the former MVP started at point guard for the Clippers on Friday.

The Clippers fanbase welcomed Westbrook with open arms. And right off the bat, he looked comfortable running the floor for the Clips’ 22nd starting lineup rendition this season, a lineup that worked quite well in their favor. Westbrook looked sharp, ready, and hungry. He made the right decisions, attacked with pace, and found his teammates well. The synergy kicked in immediately with Leonard, George, Marcus Morris Sr., and Mason Plumlee. However, seven turnovers are not to be ignored. Old habits die hard, but it is something that can hopefully be kept to a minimum as he settles in with his new squad. On the bright side, 17 points and 14 assists? Not too shabby for someone who is coming out of a season-long slump.

The Clippers’ subtle yet effective trade acquisitions have done well for them. Veteran pickups in Eric Gordon and Mason Plumlee had immediately clicked with each other on both ends, which showed in a game against the Phoenix Suns before the break. They have broken into their new shoes well and hit the ground running in LA. The Clippers fanbase feels a mix of anxiety and excitement, but if the injuries and load management issues do not get in their way, they have a long way to go postseason.

The Kings are not just placeholders

The Kings’ rise to contention this season deserves all the praise. No matter how they enter the offseason, they deserve a standing ovation at the end.

The Kings proved one thing with Friday’s performance– they are not just placeholders. The Clippers played very well, yet the Kings forced them against the ropes and got the win. What makes it even more impressive is the overall team effort. Head coach Mike Brown utilized his team’s availability from top to bottom. Every available player got minutes and tallied on the scoreboard with seven of them hitting double-digits in points.

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When the Kings initially reached the third seed in the highly competitive West, fans did not expect them to stay there. However, their selfless play and “us against the world” attitude has been the formula for their incredible success. A team that can hurt you from every area of the floor and leads the league with 120.6 points per game. The Kings rank fifth in the NBA in assists with 29.6 per game and third in field goal percentage with 49.7 percent.

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Without a superstar, the Kings have managed to become an offensive juggernaut out West. There are no weak links visible on this roster and the Kings will not be a doormat for bigger teams come playoff time.