Stockton Kings Defeat the Salt Lake City Stars in OT, 104-100

The Stockton Kings, the NBA G League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings (2-0), defeated the Salt Lake City Stars (0-2), 104-100 on Saturday night at Adventist Health Arena (formerly Stockton Arena).

In the first quarter of play, the Stockton Kings shot 50% on 22 attempts from the floor and 66.7% from the free throw line. The Kings left Salt Lake scoreless on a 10-point run that lasted 9:53. Kings forward Colby Jones led the game with 12 points, three assists, two rebounds, and two steals. Kings guard Mason Jones was 2-for-3 from the three and shot 50% from the floor. Defensively, Stockton limited Salt Lake’s starting five to one scorer as Stars forward Taylor Hendricks ended the quarter with 8 points. 

The second quarter saw a defensive battle with both teams logging 10 rebounds, three steals, and each earning two points off the other’s turnovers. Kings guard Jordan Ford led the quarter with six points. Kings forward Jaylen Nowell came off the bench to help give the Kings momentum going into the half grabbing a steal and notching five points. With 1:13 left in the 2^nd quarter, Nowell sank a three with an assist from Ford. Salt Lake’s guard Romeo Langford put up six points, while Salt Lake’s leading scorer of the game, Hendricks, was held to four points. To end the half, Colby Jones registered 14 points to push the Kings to a 46-42 lead. 

The Kings started the second half with a guard Mason Jones assisted dunk from forward Colby Jones. From there, the Stockton Kings poured in four three-point shots within three minutes. Meanwhile, Nowell shot 100% from the floor to add seven points. In the fourth quarter, Stockton took the momentum to new heights with a dunk by Kings forward Jaylen Slawson’s which put the team ahead 92-88. Salt Lake answered with four points from Stars’ center Micah Potter and guard Johnny Juzang to tie up the game 96 all.

In overtime, Nowell logged the first score and Colby Jones came up with a steal to slam a dunk to give the Kings the edge. King center Skal Labissiere followed up with another dunk and Ford sealed the victory for Stockton ending the game 104-100. Colby Jones capped the night with 32 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and five steals.

The Stockton Kings will face the Windy City Bulls at Now Arena on Friday, January 5 at 5:00 PM PST.