DeMar DeRozan delivered his best performance of the season, scoring 42 points to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 129-128 overtime win against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night. His game-winning floater with two seconds remaining secured the victory, pushing Sacramento above .500 with a 27-26 record.
Zach LaVine and Malik Monk added 17 points each for the Kings, while Domantas Sabonis recorded 16 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists. Sacramento dominated second-chance opportunities, outscoring Dallas 18-5 in that category and outrebounding them 50-33.
The Mavericks, now 28-26, were without multiple key frontcourt players, including Anthony Davis, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, and Dwight Powell. They suffered another setback when Daniel Gafford exited early in the second quarter with a sprained right knee after colliding with Monk.
Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 30 points and seven assists, just hours after being named an All-Star replacement for Davis. Klay Thompson contributed 19 points on 5-of-10 shooting from deep. Spencer Dinwiddie and Olivier-Maxence Prosper combined for 36 points off the bench.
Sacramento built an early advantage, fueled by DeRozan’s efficient shooting. The veteran forward shot 15-of-22 from the field, including 4-of-6 from three-point range, and converted all eight of his free-throw attempts. His ability to create mid-range opportunities kept the Mavericks’ defense on edge.
Dallas countered with a strong third quarter, outscoring the Kings 32-26 behind timely perimeter shooting. Thompson and Max Christie connected on key three-pointers, while Irving attacked the rim to keep the Mavericks within reach.
In the final seconds of regulation, Irving drove into the lane and finished a tough layup to tie the game at 116. Sacramento had a chance to win in regulation, but DeRozan’s contested jumper rimmed out, sending the game into overtime.
The extra period mirrored the intensity of the fourth quarter, with both teams trading clutch baskets. Irving sank a deep three with 35 seconds left to give Dallas a 128-127 lead. On the following possession, DeRozan took over once again, isolating on the right wing before driving baseline and floating in the decisive shot over Prosper.
Dallas had one final opportunity, but Thompson’s desperation three at the buzzer missed, sealing the Kings’ win.
Sabonis continued his dominant rebounding stretch, securing his league-leading 47th double-double in 50 games.
For the Mavericks, the loss came on a night when Luka Doncic made his Los Angeles Lakers debut after being traded for Davis earlier this month. Chants of Doncic’s name erupted multiple times during Mavericks free throws, leading to some fans being escorted from American Airlines Center.
