In a thrilling showdown between Northern California rivals, the Sacramento Kings finally got their revenge against the Golden State Warriors. After enduring years of being put down, the Kings staged an epic comeback, erasing a 24-point deficit to secure a nail-biting 124-123 victory. Malik Monk emerged as the hero of the night, sinking a contested shot with 10 seconds left to punch the Kings' ticket to the quarterfinals of the NBA in-season tournament. The win not only advanced the Kings in the tournament but also served as a statement to their big brothers from Golden State.
The game had high stakes for both teams, as the Warriors needed to win by 12 or more points to move on. However, the Kings had other plans. Despite the Warriors' early dominance and their efforts to keep the Kings at bay, Sacramento rallied in the second half. Two key moments shifted the game in the Kings' favor: Monk's sage advice to stop complaining to officials and let the game play out, and Draymond Green's technical foul, which disrupted the Warriors' momentum. From that point on, it was a heated battle between these hoop siblings, with the Kings stifling Curry and his comrades defensively. Ultimately, Monk's clutch shot sealed the deal and allowed the Kings to exorcise some long-standing demons while fueling their aspirations for further success in the tournament and beyond.