The Rundown: Kings top Clippers in 2nd-highest scoring game ever

Scoreboard

Knicks 115, Wizards 109

Hawks 136, Cavaliers 119

Bucks 128, Heat 99

Hornets 121, Timberwolves 113

Bulls 131, Nets 87

Suns 124, Thunder 115

Warriors 116, Rockets 101

Kings 176, Clippers 175 2OT

What went down

The Sacramento Kings have been sneakily good in the first half of the season, but now they’re going off the charts to start the second half. 

Their first matchup after the All-Star break was the Los Angeles Clippers, who for their own sake, are a team on the come-up with new recruit Russell Westbrook. Both didn’t want to let this one go. Both kept hitting the big shots. 

First big shot came from Malik Monk, who was lights out the entire game for the Kings. Down 3 in regulation, Monk hit one in the corner to tie the game at 153 and send it to overtime. 

In OT, both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard had good looks for a game-winner, but both missed, thus extending the game to a second overtime. By then, all bets were off. 

Both Monk and De’Aaron Fox were unconscious, hitting big shot after big shot for Sacramento. The eventual game-winner with 36 seconds left came from Fox’s patented mid-range J. He finished with 42 points.

Westbrook was great in his Clippers debut, scoring 17 points and dishing out 14 assists. Both Leonard (44 points) and PG (34 points) got theirs.

It was Monk’s night, though. He scored 45 points off the bench, scoring at a ridiculously efficient 62 percent from the field. He hit six of his 12 3-point attempts.

Not only was it a huge night for Monk, but the game itself also had its share of milestones. It was the second-highest scoring game in NBA history (176-175) and was only the second time in NBA history where both teams scored more than 170 points. 

The Kings and the Clippers also tied the league record for most 3s made in a game.

The numbers were jaw-dropping, the crucial moments were heart-stopping:

GAME OF THE YEAR CONTENDER.

Re-live every WILD moment from down the stretch of the 2nd highest scoring game in NBA history 🎬

Kings outlast the Clippers in 2OT, 176-175. pic.twitter.com/MiU7A8lViT

— NBA (@NBA) February 25, 2023

Big-time ballers

Klay Thompson came out firing again, this time versus the Houston Rockets. Thompson scorched the nets and hit 12 3s, tying his season-high. 

42 PTS
7 REB
12 3PM (ties season-high)

Only 1 player in NBA history has recorded multiple games with 12+ threes in a single season: Klay Thompson.

For more, download the NBA app:
📲 https://t.co/Z2EoXj3dbV pic.twitter.com/a2BR4KmadL

— NBA (@NBA) February 25, 2023

Julius Randle was also feeling it against the Wizards and was automatic from outside with seven 3s. He finished with 46 points, tying his career-high. 

Speaking of automatic, Devin Booker woke up feeling just that. Against the Thunder, DBook scored 25 points and hit one triple. That 3 was important because it made him the player with the most 3s in Suns’ franchise history.

Devin Booker has the most 3s in @Suns franchise history! 👏 pic.twitter.com/npC0Jptdpe

— NBA (@NBA) February 25, 2023

What he said 

Another historic 42-point night from Klay Thompson, another golden soundbite:

"I'm so hungry to be great. I'll never be satisfied."

Klay after becoming the only player in NBA history to record multiple games of 12+ threes in a single season. pic.twitter.com/N3SwXRS1yr

— NBA (@NBA) February 25, 2023

Did you see that?

The Chicago Bulls are having a down season, dealing with all the injuries since the start of the season. It looked like they decided to take all the frustrations out on the hapless Brooklyn Nets. 

Fielding a new-look starting five with Patrick Beverley, the Bulls went hard at the Nets and didn’t let up. Entering the fourth, the score was 97-51. Yikes. The final score looked more decent at 131-87 but still reeks of a beatdown, nonetheless.

There's no place like home @PatBev21 pic.twitter.com/aiM2ewq9F5

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 25, 2023