The Sacramento Kings didn’t just win on Sunday night—they survived. Down 10 points with three minutes left, trailing by double digits for most of the fourth quarter, and staring down a second straight heartbreaker, the Kings clawed back from the brink to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-112 in overtime at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. The win wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t dominant. But it was real. And for a team that had lost eight straight, it might be the turning point they didn’t know they needed.
DeRozan’s Perfect Night Anchors Kings’ Comeback
When the game was on the line, it was DeMar DeRozan who refused to let the Kings die. He scored 33 points, all of them from the free-throw line or mid-range jumpers—no three-pointers, no flashy dunks, just cold, calculated basketball. He was a perfect 15-for-15 from the line. In the final 34 seconds of regulation, with the Timberwolves clinging to a 101-99 lead, DeRozan calmly sank two free throws to tie it. Anthony Edwards missed a contested jumper. Then, after a scramble for the rebound, DeRozan and Malik Monk both missed potential game-winners. But the Kings didn’t panic. They knew what they had.
"He’s been here before," said one assistant coach postgame, speaking off the record. "He doesn’t need the crowd. He doesn’t need the momentum. He just needs the ball and the clock ticking down. That’s his zone."
Murray Breaks Through as Kings’ Rising Star
While DeRozan carried the scoring load, it was Keegan Murray who gave the Kings their backbone. The 23-year-old forward finished with 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three steals—his best all-around game of the season. He hit 10 of 19 field goals, including 3 of 5 from deep, and attacked the rim with a physicality rarely seen from him before. Highlights showed him crossing over Donte DiVincenzo, lowering his shoulder, and finishing through contact. "That’s not just a good game," said NBA YouTube highlights narrator. "That’s a statement."
His performance came amid growing pressure. After a slow start to the season, Murray had been criticized for inconsistent defense and lack of aggression. Sunday night, he answered. And the crowd knew it—rising to their feet as he grabbed his 14th rebound with 1:12 left in overtime, sealing the win with a putback.
Timberwolves’ Collapse Continues
For the Minnesota Timberwolves, it was déjà vu. Just two nights earlier, on November 22 in Phoenix, they blew an eight-point lead in the final minute and lost 114-113 to the Suns. This time, they led 101-91 with 3:08 left in regulation. They had the ball. They had the momentum. They had the Kings on the ropes.
Then came the unraveling. A turnover. A missed three. A bad defensive rotation on a Murray drive. A blocked shot by DeRozan that led to a Monk layup. By the time Anthony Edwards finally got the ball back with 12 seconds left, the game was tied. Edwards, who scored 43 points on 16-of-29 shooting, looked exhausted. "We had it," he said afterward, voice low. "We just didn’t close."
Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo each added 17 points for Minnesota, and Naz Reid chipped in 15. But no one else stepped up when it mattered. The Timberwolves shot just 19-of-24 from the free-throw line—20% worse than their season average. Their bench scored only 18 points. And once again, their defense vanished in the final minutes.
Why This Matters: A Franchise at a Crossroads
The Kings entered the game at 4-13. Their playoff hopes were fading. Their fans were restless. Their coach, Mike Brown, had been publicly questioning their toughness. Then came Saturday’s 128-123 win over the Denver Nuggets—finally breaking the eight-game skid. And now, this.
"This isn’t just a win," said Sports Illustrated’s NBA analyst in a postgame tweet. "It’s proof they can win ugly. That they can fight. That they can trust their leaders when everything’s falling apart."
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves—10-7 before the loss—now face questions about their mental makeup. Can a team with Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns (out for the game with a hamstring strain), and Randle really be this fragile? They’re still one of the top teams in the West. But two losses like this in four days? That’s not bad luck. That’s a character issue.
What’s Next? Cup Games and Momentum Shifts
Both teams hit the road for the NBA Cup on Wednesday, November 26. The Timberwolves travel to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder, a team they’ve beaten twice already this season. The Kings host the Phoenix Suns at Golden 1 Center—a rematch of the game where they blew their lead just days before.
For Sacramento, the question isn’t whether they can win—it’s whether they can keep it up. Can DeRozan keep playing like an All-Star? Can Murray build on this? Can their defense hold up for more than 36 minutes?
For Minnesota, the stakes are higher. Are they a contender… or just a team that collapses when the pressure rises?
Behind the Numbers
- DeMar DeRozan: 33 PTS, 4 AST, 3 STL, 15/15 FT
- Keegan Murray: 26 PTS, 14 REB, 3 STL, 10/19 FG, 3/5 3P
- Malik Monk: 22 PTS, 5 AST, 4/7 3P
- Anthony Edwards: 43 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST, 16/29 FG
- Minnesota’s bench scored only 18 points; Sacramento’s bench had 32.
- The Kings outscored the Timberwolves 24-19 in the fourth quarter and 16-11 in overtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is this win for the Sacramento Kings’ season?
This win is arguably the most important of the season for the Kings. After an 8-game losing streak and a 4-13 record, they’ve now won two in a row—both against playoff-caliber teams. DeRozan’s leadership and Murray’s breakout suggest a team finding its identity under pressure. If they can sustain this level of toughness, they could still sneak into the play-in tournament.
Why do the Timberwolves keep collapsing late in games?
Minnesota’s late-game struggles stem from poor execution and defensive breakdowns, not lack of talent. They’ve now blown double-digit leads in two straight games. Their bench lacks playmakers, and their primary scorers—Edwards and Randle—often try to do too much alone. Coaches have admitted they lack a clear closing lineup, and their timeout usage in crunch time has been inconsistent.
What does DeMar DeRozan’s perfect 15-for-15 free throw performance mean?
It’s a signature DeRozan moment. He’s one of the most reliable free-throw shooters in NBA history, with a career average of 85%. Going 15-for-15 under playoff-level pressure—especially in a comeback win—shows his ice in his veins. It also highlights Sacramento’s offensive discipline: they drew fouls when it mattered, and he delivered. That’s a hallmark of veteran leadership.
Is Keegan Murray becoming a true All-Star candidate?
He’s trending that way. After averaging 14.2 points and 5.8 rebounds through 16 games, Murray’s 26-point, 14-rebound, 3-steal performance against Minnesota is his best yet. His ability to score inside, stretch the floor, and defend multiple positions makes him a rare modern forward. If he keeps this up, he could be in the All-Star conversation by January—especially if the Kings keep winning.
What’s the impact of this game on the NBA Cup standings?
The win gives the Kings momentum heading into the Cup, where every game counts for seeding. They’re now 2-0 in their last two games, which could help them climb out of the Western Conference cellar. For Minnesota, the loss drops them to 10-7, but they’re still in the top half of the West. However, if their late-game issues persist, they could miss the Cup’s final rounds despite their talent.
How does this game compare to past Kings-Timberwolves matchups?
Historically, these games have been low-scoring and physical, with Minnesota often winning in crunch time. But this was different: Sacramento outscored Minnesota by 10 points in the final 4:32 of regulation and overtime. It’s the first time since 2022 that the Kings have won in regulation or OT in Sacramento after trailing by 10+ points in the fourth. The narrative has shifted—from underdogs to contenders in the making.