Kings Secure Thrilling Victory Over Pistons in Crucial Matchup

DETROIT, MI — Zach LaVine ignited the Sacramento Kings with a stunning performance, scoring 43 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, as they defeated the Detroit Pistons 127-117 on Monday night. The win marks the Kings’ third consecutive victory, improving their record to 39-40 and boosting their chances for a first-round home game in the NBA play-in tournament.

LaVine’s partner in offense, DeMar DeRozan, added 37 points, while Domantas Sabonis delivered a triple-double with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. The Kings now hold a slim one-game lead over Dallas for the ninth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Detroit, which fell to 43-36 with this loss, was led by Cade Cunningham, who contributed 35 points, while Isaiah Stewart added 19. The Pistons have now lost four of their last five games, struggling to maintain momentum as the season nears its conclusion.

After a strong start, the Pistons took command early in the second quarter with a 29-10 run, leading 66-48 at one point. However, the Kings staged a fierce comeback, with LaVine hitting a pivotal 3-pointer just before the third-quarter buzzer to give Sacramento a 97-94 lead.

“It was a great team effort, but LaVine and DeRozan were simply on fire,” Kings coach Mike Brown said post-game. “We knew we had to fight hard, especially after falling behind in the first half.”

The Kings maintained their lead for the remainder of the game. The Pistons managed to narrow the gap to just one point at 106-105 with Cunningham’s three-point play, but Sacramento responded with a string of critical buckets.

A key moment in the match occurred early in the fourth quarter when LaVine struck three consecutive 3-pointers, propelling the Kings ahead, 106-104. He finished the game with an impressive 5 of 6 from beyond the arc in the fourth. “Zach was incredible tonight. His shooting is a game-changer,” Sabonis said.

Despite an impressive night shooting from deep (13 of 39), Detroit’s defense struggled against Sacramento’s efficient shooting, with the Kings hitting 51.6% of their shots, including 40.7% on 3-pointers. This matchup showcased the offensive firepower both teams can produce when hitting their strides.

The injury-riddled Kings saw guard Malik Monk leave the game due to a left calf injury with 1:48 left in the first quarter. Sacramento was already without Keegan Murray (back injury) and Jake LaRavia (thumb injury). The Pistons, despite missing Tobias Harris (sore foot), fielded a mostly healthy roster.

The Kings now prepare for a three-game homestand starting with a matchup against the struggling Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, while Detroit aims to turn things around at home against the New York Knicks on Thursday.