Willie Cauley-Stein Late-Game Heroics Lead to Sacramento Kings Win
Dec 2, 2018, 12:00 AM | Updated: Jan 4, 2019, 11:37 am
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
by Matt George – Sports 1140 KHTK Reporter
After dropping their third straight game for the first time this season, the Sacramento Kings ended their home stand against the Indiana Pacers, who the Kings haven’t beaten since the 2016-2017 season. Without leading scorer Victor Oladipo, the Pacers managed to shoot 52% from the field, led by 27 from shooter Bojan Bogdanovic. The Kings hung around, and down by a point in the final seconds, a tip-slam from Willie Cauley-Stein won them the game, 111-110.
Willie tip-slam gives the Kings the lead!!! #SacramentoProud pic.twitter.com/WbORfIz2d9
— Matt George (@MattGeorgeKHTK) December 2, 2018
Cauley-Stein has been in a rut as of late, struggling especially on the defensive end of the floor. The game-winner might be the confidence boost he needs to get back to the early-season success of a month ago. Willie finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds, his 2nd straight double-double, and earned the praises of his head coach and teammates.
“He is critical. To be able to rim run and finish around the rim…” said Dave Joerger, “He is getting better and stayed with it…He is very important to what we are trying to do”.
De’Aaron Fox showed some love for the big man, who cleaned up his miss late, “That’s what he does. He is always in the right spot”.
After a career high 26 points in the loss to the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday, Bogdan Bogdanovic turned in another solid performance, with 20 points and 6 assists off the bench.
“I like this one with 20 points and the win rather than the 26” Bogi joked with the media following the win.
Fans always have fun with the Bogdanovic battle, with Bogdan and Bojan meeting just twice a year. When asked about their duel, Bogdan said, “He won in points. I won the game”.
Kings rookie Marvin Bagley did not play tonight because of a back injury. He was taking part in pre-game workouts and is expected to be good to go for Sacramento’s upcoming road trip. Kosta Koufos made his return from a nagging calf injury, and provided a major spark defensively against Indiana’s Domantas Sabonis.
Cauley-Stein sang Koufos’ praises after the game, “He is a master vet. You know what he is going to do. I love when he comes into the game…(his man) ain’t going to get an easy bucket on him”.
The Kings begin a four game road trip on Tuesday with their first meeting of the season against the Phoenix Suns. Their next home game won’t be until December 12th against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
