Flashback: Horry, then Donaghy, sink Kings

Day 14 of our 30-team NBA playoff flashback profiles the Sacramento Kings. The Kings franchise has one NBA title, and has nine playoff appearances since the 1991-92 season.

Date: May 26, 2002

Situation: The No. 1 Sacramento Kings lead the No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers, 2-1, heading to Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

Context: For the first time since the team was in Rochester in 1950-51, the Kings finished with the league’s best record at 61-21. Sacramento was led by a balanced scoring attack; seven different players averaging in double figures, led by Chris Webber (24.5 points) and Peja Stojakovic (21.2 points). The Kings’ offense finished second in the NBA in scoring (104.6 points per game) and third in offensive rating (109.0). Sacto didn’t disappoint in the postseason, either; they eliminated the Jazz in four games in the first round, then handled the Mavs in five in the semifinals to set up a Western Conference finals match-up with the defending-champion Lakers. The Kings looked on their way to a series win, too, jumping out to a 2-1 lead.

Recap: The Kings took control early at the Staples Center, staking to a 40-20 lead after the first quarter, and a 65-51 lead at the break. The Lakers clawed back, though, paced by their dominance on the glass, cutting the lead to one with under 30 seconds left. Leading 98-97, Vlade Divac was sent to the line with 11.8 seconds left. He hit just one of two, giving the Lakers the chance to play for the tie or the win. After Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal missed shots from under the net, Divac tipped the ball out, only to have it bounce toward Lakers forward Robert Horry. Big Shot Bob lined up a three from the corner with one second left and drained it as time expired, giving the Lakers a 100-99 win, thus tying the series, 2-2. Sacramento lost, 100-99.

Top players: Vlade Divac finished with 23 points, but just seven rebounds. Mike Bibby (21) and Chris Webber (20) also cracked 20 points. Shaquille O’Neal and Robert Horry posted double-doubles for the Lakers. Los Angeles out-rebounded Sacramento 56-42, and grabbed 25 offensive boards.

After the game: The Kings bounced back to win Game 5, putting the Lakers on the brink. However, Los Angeles came back to win the next two, advancing to the Finals. Game 6 is regarded as one of the most controversial games of all-time. Disgraced referee Tim Donaghy alleged in 2008 that he and other officials fixed the game, making calls to ensure that the Lakers forced Game 7. L.A. took 27 free throws in the fourth quarter, and analysts often point out that several anti-Kings calls were made down the stretch. The Lakers went on to sweep the Nets for the NBA title; Sacramento hasn’t made it to the West finals since, and hasn’t made the playoffs since 2006-07.

Check back tomorrow for the Thunder.

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