Stockton Kings Clinch Playoff Berth in 108-100 Victory Over Santa Cruz Warriors

The Stockton Kings, the NBA G League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings (22-9), defeated the Santa Cruz Warriors (18-13), 108-100, Saturday evening at Adventist Health Arena (formerly Stockton Arena). 

The Kings stayed on the heels of the Warriors in the first half. Santa Cruz forward Gui Santos sank the first basket of the game. Stockton guard Dane Goodwin hit one from distance and went on to score eight points of the 10-4 run in the beginning of the first frame. Both teams exchanged leads four times before the Warriors gained the lead for good at the 1:32 mark, when Warriors guard Pat Spencer drained five points off the bench to give them the edge. Warriors center Usman Garuba’s free throw off Kings forward Stanley Johnson’s foul ended the frame in their favor, 31-28. In the second frame, the Kings bench did some heavy lifting with guard-forward Shabazz Muhammad adding nine points. Warriors guard Kendric Davis led the half with 20 points to help advance Santa Cruz, 62-58. The Kings took the lead in the third frame upping the score to 70-68 with 5:53 left. From there, Johnson, Goodwin, and guard Mason Jones, would power the Kings to an 85-75 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Kings had an impressive defensive second half. The Warriors were held to 100 points. Davis, the leading scorer of the game, was held to 0 points in the third quarter, and scored 6 of his 26 overall points in the fourth. Santa Cruz also gave up a total of 24 points in turnovers and shot 30.8% from the free throw line, allowing the Kings to best them 108-100.

Jones paced the Kings with his second straight triple-double (third overall), recording 25 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and a steal. Goodwin dialed in 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Johnson notched a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and listed six assists, a steal, and a block. Forward Deonte Burton followed with 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Center Gabe Levin totaled 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Muhammad finished with 13 points and three rebounds.

Davis led the game with 26 points and logged seven rebounds, 10 assists, and a steal. Guard Pat Spencer came up with 15 points, two rebounds, one assist, and a steal off the bench. Guard Javan Johnson punched in 14 points, three rebounds, and one assist. Garuba tallied 11 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Forward Donovan Williams punched in 11 points, one rebound, and one assist.

The Stockton Kings will hit the road to take on the Memphis Hustle at the Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi on Tuesday, March 26 at 5:00 PM PST.

For more information, visit StocktonKings.com.

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About the Stockton Kings

The Stockton Kings are a member of the NBA G League, the official minor league of the NBA. The Stockton Kings are affiliated with the Sacramento Kings. For more information on the 2023-24 season presented by Kaiser Permanente, call the Stockton Kings front office at 888.KNGS.209 or visit StocktonKings.com. Follow the team on Twitter @StocktonKings, Instagram @StocktonKings and on Facebook at Facebook.com/KingsStockton. 

About the NBA G League

The NBA’s official minor league, the NBA G League prepares players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA Cares programs.