The Sacramento Kings finally found their breakthrough-and they did it in dramatic fashion.
Snapping a five-game skid, the Kings pulled off a gutsy 125-124 overtime win against the Houston Rockets on Sunday night. This one had everything: late-game heroics, vintage performances, and a little bit of history.
Let’s start with the man who lit the spark-Russell Westbrook. The veteran guard, who joined Sacramento this offseason, turned back the clock with a performance that reminded everyone why he's one of the most relentless competitors in the league.
With the Kings trailing in the final seconds of regulation, Westbrook drilled a clutch three-pointer to tie the game and force overtime. It was the kind of shot that shifts momentum-and he knew it.
Westbrook finished the night with 21 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and two steals in just 29 minutes. But beyond the box score, he made history: at his age, no other guard in NBA history has ever posted 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ three-pointers in a single game. It was a performance that blended grit, leadership, and just enough flash to remind us that he’s still got plenty left in the tank.
Once the game hit overtime, Dennis Schroder took the reins. The Kings’ point guard was everywhere in the extra period-scoring, facilitating, and keeping the offense steady under pressure. He finished with 24 points and 10 assists, providing the poise Sacramento needed to close out a one-point thriller.
DeMar DeRozan also brought his full offensive arsenal to the table. The veteran forward poured in 27 points on an efficient 9-of-17 shooting night, while also dishing out nine assists and grabbing four rebounds.
He was aggressive, composed, and a steadying force throughout. Keegan Murray added 26 points and four boards, giving Sacramento another reliable scoring option in a game where every bucket mattered.
It was a full-team effort from the Kings, but make no mistake-this win was built on resilience. Coming into the night at 6-22, morale could’ve been low. Instead, they fought back from a fourth-quarter deficit, leaned on their veterans, and delivered in the clutch.
As for the Rockets, they didn’t go quietly. Houston entered the game at 17-8 and played like a team with confidence.
Alperen Sengun was a force in the paint, leading the Rockets with 28 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks. He continues to evolve into one of the most versatile bigs in the Western Conference.
Kevin Durant, Houston’s marquee offseason addition, added 24 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. He was his usual self-smooth, efficient, and impactful in all phases of the game.
Amen Thompson flirted with a triple-double of his own, dropping 18 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, while Jabari Smith Jr. also scored 18. Tari Eason chipped in 16, and rookie Reed Sheppard added 15.
Despite the Rockets’ depth and offensive firepower, it was the Kings’ execution in crunch time that made the difference. Sacramento’s veterans stepped up, the ball moved, and the shots fell when it mattered most.
Next up, the Rockets will try to bounce back against the Clippers on Thursday, while the Kings will look to build on this momentum when they face the Pistons that same night.
For Sacramento, this win was more than just a number in the standings-it was a reminder of what this team is capable of when the pieces click. And if Westbrook keeps channeling this kind of energy, the Kings might just be ready to turn a corner.