The Sacramento Kings' 176-175 double-overtime victory against Los Angeles Clippers was the second-highest scoring game in NBA history.
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At the beginning of his Los Angeles Clippers debut, Russell Westbrook was the center of attention, but towards the conclusion, everyone was focused on the score. This required time. The Sacramento Kings’ 176-175 double-overtime victory was the second-highest scoring game in NBA history when the former Los Angeles Lakers point guard played his first minutes as a Clipper. The teams’ total 44 3-pointers were also the most in an NBA game in history, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
The Detroit Pistons defeated the Denver Nuggets in triple overtime in 1983, winning that game 186-184, which stands as the NBA record. Given his 42 points, 12 assists, and game-winning shot at the conclusion of double overtime, De’Aaron Fox emerged as the point guard most deserving of attention. Malik Monk contributed 45 points as well as a three-pointer that tied the contest late in the first half.
Although there has been much discussion about how Westbrook has to adjust and what the Clippers should do well with him, the former MVP hasn’t changed much with his new squad. When the Clippers acquired him after the Lakers traded him and the Utah Jazz bought him out, he provided them with the type of distributor and paint-attacking presence they were probably hoping for. He finished with a line of 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting with 14 assists, seven turnovers, and five rebounds.
Even though it was only one game, one statistic suggested that Westbrook would be a better fit for the Clippers than the Lakers. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Westbrook finished the game with eight assists on made 3-pointers, which is his greatest total in the previous two seasons. Towards the conclusion of regulation, the Clippers witnessed Russell Westbrook in all his glory. As the squad almost lost a 147-136 lead with less than three minutes remaining, he made a crucial basket with 15 seconds left to give the team a three-point advantage.
But, as soon as the Kings had possession of the ball and a chance to tie it, Westbrook appeared to lose Monk on defense, though Norman Powell’s blunder could have also been at blame. Whatever the case, overtime was the outcome. Overtime or extra overtime were not used to stop the farce. The Clippers had a six-point lead after both quarters but ultimately lost in a tumultuous fashion. Paul George had 34 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Kawhi Leonard finished with 44 points on 16 of 22 shooting.
In a game like Friday’s, it seems unfair to evaluate Westbrook as a Clipper, but he wasn’t without flaws. There were six personal fouls, seven turnovers, and defensive blunders. No NBA player is more defined by his flaws than Westbrook, and he will continue to draw criticism for some time to come. The good news for the Clippers is that if he doesn’t pan out, it won’t be nearly as difficult to part ways with him as it was for the Los Angeles Lakers. And if he succeeds, well, that would be quite a tale.
