EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers had almost everything they needed.
Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis fouled out near the end of the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game. Then, gifted Kings guard De’Aaron Fox left in overtime, unable to continue because of a sprained ankle.
The only thing to elude the Lakers, however, was a victory.
Malik Monk successfully took Fox’s place down the stretch, and Kevin Huerter delivered a dagger three-pointer as Sacramento beat the Lakers in overtime, 132-127, in Sacramento.
The Lakers had their chances against the unexpectedly short-handed Kings, but Taurean Prince missed two good looks from the three-point line late in overtime and the Lakers surrendered two key offensive rebounds in the final minutes.
The Lakers are in no danger of a 2-10 start like last season, but their 1-2 record after Sunday isn’t one they’ll celebrate.
Anthony Davis had 30 points and 16 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough. Neither was the solid 27-point, 15-rebound, eight-assist line put up by LeBron James.
James did his best to get the Lakers to overtime, blowing past Keegan Murray for a layup to tie the score with 12.9 seconds left in regulation. Murray missed a three-point shot as time expired to officially create an overtime necessity.
But Monk, a former Lakers guard, scored 11 of his 22 points in overtime and assisted on Huerter’s clutch three-pointer from the left side for a five-point edge with 32 seconds left in overtime.
“They made some timely shots. Had some timely offensive rebounds,” LA coach Darvin Ham said. “They edged us out tonight. But we’ll learn from it and we’ll grow.”
The Kings certainly quite credit their two big-name players for the win. Sabonis fouled out with 2:59 to play in the fourth quarter, leaving the Kings without their top big man.
Fox left with 3:31 remaining in overtime, unable to finish because of a sprained ankle he sustained in the fourth quarter. He had a commendable 37 points and eight assists.
The Lakers twice surrendered offensive rebounds to Murray in overtime, leading to two Kings three-pointers.
“We’ve got to put bodies on bodies,” Davis said. “They miss long shots and it leads to long rebounds. I think that’s what hurt us tonight.”
There were other concerns for LA.
Guard Austin Reaves missed 11 of 12 shots and continued an early season skid on the way to a quiet five points. He finished last season on such a strong note and then played great basketball for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup, but hasn’t had the start he envisioned over the last week.
The first quarter was also a problem spot when the Lakers allowed 41 points and trailed by 13. It marked the third time in as many games they faced a double-digit deficit in the first quarter.
Afterwards, Ham said he would look at some of the team's rotations. Maybe he’ll shorten the bench sooner than expected.
Christian Wood scored 11 points in 11 minutes of the first half but played only three minutes after that. Perhaps he’s one of the players who will get more minutes going forward.
On a nostalgic note, the game was played exactly 20 years after James made his NBA debut, which also happened in Sacramento.
“It’s pretty cool when you look at it to the actual date,” James said. “Lot of memories. It’s pretty special that I’m still doing it."
The Lakers continue their season with a home game Monday against a young Orlando team.