Kings storm back from big deficit, but Redick helps Pelicans escape with the win
J.J. Redick drove inside for a layup with 1.1 seconds remaining to help the New Orleans Pelicans escape with a 117-115 victory over the Kings on Saturday night at Golden 1 Center.
The Kings rallied from a 14-point deficit over the final four minutes to tie the game on a four-point play by Nemanja Bjelica with 4.2 seconds remaining, but they couldn’t stop Redick from getting into the paint for the winning basket.
Lonzo Ball posted 24 points, 10 assists and six rebounds for the Pelicans (12-24), who won on the second night of a back-to-back following Friday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Jrue Holiday had 19 points. Redick had 18.
Harrison Barnes scored 30 points for the Kings (13-23). Buddy Hield had 24 points and 12 rebounds. De’Aaron Fox had 17 points.
The Kings got off to a slow start for the second game in a row. They were outscored 42-26 in the first quarter of Thursday’s 128-123 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. This time they were outscored 22-8 over the first 6:42, but they ended the opening period with an 18-3 run to take a 26-25 lead. Sacramento led by nine midway through the second quarter, but New Orleans responded with a 9-0 run and carried a 52-48 advantage into the break.
The teams traded leads throughout the third quarter. The Kings were up 80-76 going into the fourth, but the Pelicans started the final period with a 10-0 run to reclaim the lead. The game remained close until Hield was whistled for a personal foul and a technical foul following a basket by Favors with 7:37 to go. Favors made his free throw and Brandon Ingram converted the technical free throw, pushing the Pelicans’ lead to nine.
New Orleans stretched its lead to 14 on a three-point play by Josh Hart with 4:04 remaining. The Kings stormed back in the final minutes to tie the game on a four-point play by Bjelica, but Redick banked in a floater to win the game.
Sick and injured
Kings guard Bogdan Boganovic was listed as doubtful due to ankle soreness after aggravating a lingering injury in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Bogdanovic was ruled out before tipoff – and not just because of the ankle.
“Well, he’s also got the flu, so we told him to stay away,” Walton said. “His ankle is a little swollen and he’s got the flu, so he will not be in the building tonight.”
Bogdanovic has now missed six games due to hamstring and ankle injuries. The Kings are 0-6 in those contests.
Coach’s Corner
Walton has been asked about his team’s pace quite a bit this season as Sacramento has gone from one of the fastest teams in the league to one of the slowest. He was asked again Saturday by a member of the Pelicans traveling press corps.
“We’ve been talking a lot about that in Sacramento here lately and how we want to play, especially with De’Aaron back now,” Walton said. “We want to get out and play fast, and we’ve done a better job of that since he’s been back, but we also want to play smart. We’re constantly talking about playing fast, playing smart, playing defense, and so we’re looking to run but we’re also looking to be able to recognize when the opportunities aren’t there and use those as chances to really work on our execution.”
Bagley update
Kings forward Marvin Bagley III missed his fifth game in a row with a midfoot sprain. The team has provided no definitive timetable for his return, but Walton said he appears to be improving.
“Marvin’s doing much better,” Walton said. “I saw him down there in the training room before we did our late-afternoon shootaround. He got shots up yesterday and he felt better. He’s going to do it again today. He’s going to run a little today, so he’s increasing his workload and the foot keeps feeling better.”
Injury report
Pelicans: OUT – Zion Williamson (knee), Darius Miller (Achilles).
Kings: OUT – Marvin Bagley III (foot), Bogdan Bogdanovic (ankle).
Kings upcoming schedule
Jan. 6 vs. Golden State, 7 p.m.
Jan. 7 at Phoenix, 6 p.m.
Jan. 10 vs. Milwaukee, 7 p.m.
Jan. 13 vs. Orlando, 7 p.m.
Jan. 15 vs. Dallas Mavericks
This story was originally published January 4, 2020 at 9:49 PM.
