So Long, Sleep Train: Kings Top Thunder In Final Game In Home Arena

The Thunder got a first-row seat to the end of an era on Saturday. Oklahoma City, however, fell to the Kings 114-112 as Sacramento closed out a 28-year run at Sleep Train Arena, formerly known as Arco Arena.

It really was a special night in Sacramento. The Kings, one of the most dysfunctional franchises in the league, have dealt with spotty fan support in recent years. Not tonight.

The Kings handed out shirts for a white-out effect and the crowd was into it from start to finish. It was as close to a playoff atmosphere as Sacramento has experienced in a long while. The evening was full of events honoring teams and players from brighter days, including a mini-bicycle race between Olden Polynice, Brad Miller and Michael Stewart.

The game itself has no playoff implications for either team – OKC has had the No. 3 seed locked up for some time and the Kings were out of it before the season began – but you wouldn’t have known that by watching.

The Thunder got off to a hot start and took a 26-16 lead on a Kyle Singler 3-ball late in the first quarter. But five first-half 3s from Stephen Curry’s brother, Seth, brought the Kings back. Sacramento led 56-52 at the half.

The second half was back-and-forth throughout as the final game on the Sleep Train went down to the wire. Darren Collison got hot, though, and carried the Kings down the stretch. Collison scored 10 points in the final 3:41 as the Kings looked like they were going to pull away late.

But Russell Westbrook had other ideas. Westbrook hit a 3-pointer, then two possessions later, hit three free throws with just seven seconds left to tie the game at 112-112.

The Kings got one last chance at it and Rudy Gay came through. Gay attacked Serge Ibaka and earned a trip to the line with just one second remaining. Gay hit both free throws and the celebration in Sacramento began.

It was a sloppy game for Oklahoma City (54-26). The Thunder turned it over 21 times including eight from Westbrook alone. Westbrook did finish with 24 points and 10 assists. Kevin Durant led OKC with 31 points and eight boards. Enes Kanter chipped in 11 points and six boards in just 20 minutes off the bench.

Collison led Sacramento (32-48) with 27 points and eight assists while Gay added 24 and eight boards. It was a down night for DeMarcus Cousins, who finished with just 15 points and seven rebounds on 7-of-24 shooting before fouling out with just a few minutes remaining.  

Oklahoma City heads home on Monday night for some more history. OKC will host the Los Angeles Lakers in Kobe Bryant’s final NBA road game. Tip time from Chesapeake Arena is set for 7 p.m.