The Oklahoma City Thunder celebrated a significant milestone in their season on March 25, 2025, defeating the Sacramento Kings 121-105 at the Golden 1 Center. This victory marked the Thunder's 60th win, a notable achievement not seen since the 2012-13 NBA season when star players such as Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden graced the roster.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was instrumental in the Thunder’s win, leading the team with a stellar performance. He scored 32 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and distributed five assists, showcasing his all-around game in a critical matchup. Other key contributors included Chet Holmgren, who recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, Alex Caruso with 15 points, and Isaiah Joe, adding 14 points off the bench.
Despite the loss, the Kings saw an outstanding performance from rookie Keegan Murray, who exploded for a career-high 28 points on nine-of-13 shooting, including an impressive nine-of-12 from beyond the arc. Yet, the Kings struggled as a team, especially in their three-point defense, which has plagued them throughout the season.
The game unfolded in a fashion that reflected the Thunder's dominance. After establishing an early lead, Oklahoma City maintained their advantage, leading by as many as 25 points during the game. However, their third-quarter performance was marred by a brief resurge from Sacramento, who opened the half with a 19-4 run, cutting the lead to just nine points at one point.
The Thunder’s defense held strong, and they managed to regain control thanks in part to Gilgeous-Alexander's remarkable ability to score when it mattered most, netting seven points in the final moments of the third quarter. Going into the fourth, Oklahoma City led 89-81.
Throughout the matchup, the Kings, who possess the worst three-point defense in the league this season, allowed OKC to shoot an alarming 59% (19-of-32) from beyond the arc, contributing to their defeat. Sacramento consistently struggled with their perimeter defense, which allowed the Thunder to thrive early, as they went five-of-seven from deep in the first quarter. This inability to close out on shooters was a recurring theme, evidenced by Oklahoma City’s early 12-of-21 (57%) from three-point range, effectively putting the game out of reach.
Interestingly, while Sacramento mounted a spirited comeback effort during the third quarter, their hopes were dashed in the fourth as the Thunder’s offense regained momentum. Despite shooting 14-of-25 (56%) from three-point range in the second half, the Kings could not match the firepower of the Thunder's offense, particularly their effectiveness in the paint, where OKC outscored Sacramento by a massive margin, 42-20.
Statistics revealed the extent of the Kings' struggles; Zach LaVine capped his evening with 19 points, but DeMar DeRozan continued his lackluster performance with just 10 points on four-of-15 shooting. Sacramento's inability to execute effectively at both ends of the floor underscored their fourth consecutive defeat, leaving them tied with the Phoenix Suns for the ninth and tenth spots in the Western Conference standings.
As the Kings look to find their footing, they have a favorable slate ahead, with four of their next five games against teams with losing records. That could provide them with much-needed opportunities to reclaim their position for the playoff push. Their next game is set for March 27 against the Portland Trail Blazers at 7:00 PM PT, a crucial match as they seek to tie the season series at two wins apiece.
While the Thunder celebrate their achievement, the Kings must regroup quickly if they are to stave off the challenge of the Mavericks, who are lurking close behind in the standings. With the stakes higher than ever, every game counts as the regular season approaches its conclusion.
