DeMar DeRozan hits game winner to cap 42-point performance as Kings top Mavericks in OT
DeMar DeRozan hit the game-winning shot to cap an impressive performance in a 129-128 overtime victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday at American Airlines Center.
DeRozan scored a season-high 42 points for the Kings (27-26), including the go-ahead basket on a baseline floater with 2.1 seconds to play in overtime. The six-time All-Star went 15 of 22 from the field, 4 of 6 from 3-point range and 8 of 8 at the free-throw line to post his first 40-point game in a Kings uniform.
Kyrie Irving had 30 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals for the Mavericks (28-26), who were missing Anthony Davis and other key players due to injuries. Some fans chanted “Fire Nico” and a number of them were escorted out of the arena 10 days after general manager Nico Harrison traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Davis.
The Kings used a huge size advantage to outrebound the injury depleted Mavericks 50-33, but they were outscored 36-15 in points off turnovers.
The Kings will be back in action when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.
Stat leaders
Malik Monk scored 17 points on 7-of-17 shooting with eight assists for Sacramento. Zach LaVine scored 17 points on 8-of-18 shooting.
Domantas Sabonis recorded his league-leading 47th double-double of the season with 16 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. Jonas Valanciunas came off the bench to post 13 points and eight rebounds before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
Halftime report
The Kings made 10 of their first 13 field-goal attempts to take an early 22-13 lead, but they trailed 35-27 after the Mavericks ended the first quarter with a 22-5 run.
The game was tied 61-61 at the halftime break. The Kings shot 60.5% from the field and 50% from 3-point range, but they committed 12 turnovers, leading to a 20-4 advantage in points off turnovers for the Mavericks.
DeRozan had the hot hand in the first half for Sacramento, scoring 21 points while going 8 of 9 from the field and 3 of 3 from beyond the arc.
Second half
The Kings trailed 93-87 at the end of the third quarter and fell behind by 12 when Irving hit a 3-pointer to put the Mavericks up 103-91 with 8:23 to go in the fourth.
Interim Kings coach Doug Christie turned to a jumbo lineup, playing Sabonis and Valanciunas together for the first time since their days with the Lithuanian national team. Sacramento staged a 15-2 run to take a 106-105 lead on a layup by Keon Ellis with 4:25 remaining.
The Kings forced overtime after DeRozan buried a fadeaway jumper with 3.7 seconds to play in regulation. DeRozan scored 15 points in the fourth quarter, going 5 of 8 from the field and 3 of 3 from 3-point range.
Overtime
There were two ties and seven lead changes in overtime. The Mavericks went up 128-127 on a 3-pointer by Klay Thompson, but DeRozan split a double-team for a 14-foot baseline floater with 2.1 seconds remaining to give Sacramento the win.
Up next
The Kings will play a back-to-back set against the Pelicans on Wednesday and Thursday at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans in their last two games before the All-Star break.
The Pelicans (12-41) have dropped nine in a row after suffering a 137-101 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. Sabonis had 27 points and 16 rebounds in a 123-118 victory over the Pelicans on Saturday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Zion Williamson was virtually unstoppable in that game, scoring 40 points on 16-of-21 shooting.
This story was originally published February 10, 2025 at 10:25 PM.
