Game ID: 22500878
Sacramento Kings @ Los Angeles Lakers
Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 9:30 PM ET
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
LAL 36 28 32 32 128SAC 18 31 27 28 104
LAL vs SAC ScoutingLAL vs SAC Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
LAL availability going into 2/22 · 1 day's restOUT Smith Jr. missed 2 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Dončić back 2/20 after 4, 38 min since (106% of 36)
BACK Ayton back 2/20 after 2, 28 min since (100% of 27)
LAL availability going into 2/24 · 1 day's restOUT Smith Jr. missed 3 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Dončić back 2/20 after 4, 35 min since (98% of 36)
BACK Ayton back 2/20 after 2, 26 min since (95% of 27)
LAL availability going into 2/26 · 1 day's restOUT Smith Jr. missed 4 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Dončić back 2/20 after 4, 36 min since (101% of 36)
BACK Ayton back 2/20 after 2, 28 min since (103% of 27)
LAL availability going into 2/28 · 1 day's restOUT Smith Jr. missed 5 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Dončić back 2/20 after 4, 37 min since (103% of 36)
BACK Ayton back 2/20 after 2, 27 min since (98% of 27)
LAL availability going into 3/01 · back-to-backOUT Hachimura missed 2 since 2/26, returns tonight: 22 min (75% of 30)
OUT Smith Jr. missed 6 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Dončić back 2/20 after 4, 35 min since (99% of 36)
BACK Ayton back 2/20 after 2, 25 min since (93% of 27)
LAL availability going into 3/03 · 1 day's restOUT Smith Jr. missed 7 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 3/01 after 2, 22 min since (75% of 30)
LAL availability going into 3/05 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 2 since 3/01, returns tonight: 4 min (24% of 17)
OUT Smith Jr. missed 8 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 3/01 after 2, 20 min since (69% of 30)
LAL availability going into 3/06 · back-to-backOUT Smith Jr. missed 9 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 2 since 3/03, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 3/01 after 2, 23 min since (78% of 30)
BACK Vanderbilt back 3/05 after 2, 4 min since (24% of 17)
LAL availability going into 3/08 · 1 day's restOUT Smith Jr. missed 10 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 3 since 3/03, returns tonight: 10 min (97% of 10)
BACK Hachimura back 3/01 after 2, 23 min since (78% of 30)
BACK Vanderbilt back 3/05 after 2, 13 min since (75% of 17)
SAC availability going into 2/21 · 1 day's restOUT LaVine missed 4 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Hunter missed 4 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Murray back 2/19 after 20, 32 min since (92% of 34)
BACK Monk back 2/19 after 3, 20 min since (91% of 22)
BACK McDermott back 2/07 after 2, 12 min since (77% of 15)
BACK Stevens back 2/11 after 4, 20 min since (142% of 14)
BACK Eubanks back 2/09 after 3, 9 min since (66% of 13)
NEW Clifford 25 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Cardwell 21 to 29 min over the last 4
NEW Carter 18 to 27 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 2/23 · 1 day's restOUT LaVine missed 5 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Hunter missed 5 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 2 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 2 since 2/19, out tonight
BACK Murray back 2/19 after 20, 34 min since (98% of 34)
BACK Monk back 2/19 after 3, 24 min since (109% of 22)
BACK McDermott back 2/07 after 2, 10 min since (67% of 15)
BACK Eubanks back 2/09 after 3, 11 min since (80% of 13)
NEW Clifford 25 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Carter 18 to 24 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 2/25 · 1 day's restOUT LaVine missed 6 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Hunter missed 6 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 3 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 3 since 2/19, out tonight
BACK Murray back 2/19 after 20, 34 min since (98% of 34)
BACK Monk back 2/19 after 3, 22 min since (102% of 22)
BACK Eubanks back 2/09 after 3, 11 min since (80% of 13)
NEW Raynaud 26 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Clifford 25 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Carter 18 to 23 min over the last 4
SAC availability going into 2/26 · back-to-backOUT LaVine missed 7 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Hunter missed 7 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 4 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT Carter missed 2 since 2/23, returns tonight: 32 min (176% of 18)
OUT McDermott missed 2 since 2/23, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 4 since 2/19, out tonight
BACK Murray back 2/19 after 20, 28 min since (80% of 34)
BACK Monk back 2/19 after 3, 22 min since (98% of 22)
NEW Clifford 25 to 31 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 3/01 · 2 days' restOUT LaVine missed 8 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Hunter missed 8 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 5 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 3 since 2/23, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 5 since 2/19, out tonight
BACK Murray back 2/19 after 20, 28 min since (80% of 34)
BACK Monk back 2/19 after 3, 21 min since (96% of 22)
BACK Carter back 2/26 after 2, 32 min since (176% of 18)
NEW Clifford 25 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Achiuwa 24 to 30 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 3/03 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 2 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT LaVine missed 9 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Hunter missed 9 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 6 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 4 since 2/23, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 6 since 2/19, out tonight
BACK Carter back 2/26 after 2, 27 min since (144% of 18)
NEW Clifford 25 to 34 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 3/05 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 3 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT LaVine missed 10 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Hunter missed 10 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 7 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 5 since 2/23, returns tonight: 4 min (28% of 15)
OUT Stevens missed 7 since 2/19, out tonight
BACK Carter back 2/26 after 2, 21 min since (113% of 18)
NEW Raynaud 26 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Clifford 25 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Achiuwa 24 to 32 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 3/08 · 2 days' restOUT Murray missed 4 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT LaVine missed 11 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Hunter missed 11 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 8 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 8 since 2/19, out tonight
BACK Carter back 2/26 after 2, 21 min since (113% of 18)
BACK McDermott back 3/05 after 5, 4 min since (28% of 15)
NEW Clifford 25 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Achiuwa 24 to 34 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 3/10 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 5 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT LaVine missed 12 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Hunter missed 12 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 9 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 9 since 2/19, not on tonight's roster
BACK Carter back 2/26 after 2, 17 min since (93% of 18)
BACK McDermott back 3/05 after 5, 4 min since (28% of 15)
NEW Raynaud 26 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Clifford 25 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Achiuwa 24 to 36 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 23 free throws a game; Dončić at 30 and Reaves at 19 a game. They have lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Hachimura (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 127, shooting 46 percent and 29 from three, 23 free throws a game; Achiuwa at 17 and Raynaud at 15 a game. Without LaVine (8 straight), Hunter (8 straight), Cardwell (5 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 41 percent from three to Sacramento's 29 and the defense, the Lakers allowing 111 a night to Sacramento's 127. Call it the Lakers 119, Sacramento 113.
2/22 vs BOS 89-111 — LAL notes
LAL lost 89-111. LAL shot 39% (34 of 87) to BOS's 48%, 9 of 30 from three. LAL turned it over 8 times to BOS's 14. The glass went 39-50 against them. Dončić led with 25 (9 of 22, 4 of 7 from three, 3 of 6 at the line); James added 20, Reaves 15. Q1 was theirs, 28-28, but the other 3 periods went 83-61 against them. Dončić's -21 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/24 vs ORL 109-110 — LAL notes
LAL lost 109-110. LAL shot 48% (40 of 83) to ORL's 46%, 9 of 29 from three. Dončić led with 22 (8 of 24, 2 of 10 from three, 4 of 9 at the line); Ayton added 21, James 21. Q1 was theirs, 33-25, but the other 3 periods went 85-76 against them. They led by as many as 12. Vanderbilt's -6 in 12 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/26 @ PHX 110-113 — LAL notes
LAL lost 110-113. LAL shot 51% (38 of 75) to PHX's 46%, 11 of 29 from three, and went to the line 26 times to PHX's 14 — 23 points from the stripe to their 11. Dončić led with 41 (12 of 21, 6 of 11 from three, 11 of 12 at the line); James added 15, Reaves 14. Q1 was theirs, 27-22, but the other 3 periods went 91-83 against them. They led by as many as 13. Ayton's -24 in 23 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/28 @ GSW 129-101 — LAL notes
LAL won 129-101. LAL shot 53% (48 of 90) to GSW's 45%, 19 of 41 from three, and went to the line 20 times to GSW's 9 — 14 points from the stripe to their 7. Dončić led with 26 (9 of 17, 4 of 9 from three); James added 22, Reaves 18. The hinge was Q1, 33-20: from level to 13 ahead, and the lead reached 32. Dončić was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
3/01 vs SAC 128-104 — LAL notes
LAL won 128-104. LAL shot 50% (47 of 94) to SAC's 47%, 18 of 39 from three, and went to the line 22 times to SAC's 15 — 16 points from the stripe to their 14. LAL turned it over 9 times to SAC's 20. The glass went 37-52 against them. Dončić led with 28 (10 of 16, 4 of 8 from three, 4 of 7 at the line); L. James added 24, Reaves 12. The hinge was Q1, 36-18: from level to 18 ahead, and the lead reached 30. Dončić was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
3/03 vs NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 108, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Dončić at 28 and James at 20 a game. They have lost the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 29 free throws a game; Bey at 24 and Williamson at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-4 a night and the Lakers minus-6 and the turnovers, New Orleans giving it away 17 times a game to the Lakers' 10. Call it the Lakers 118, New Orleans 113.
3/05 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 116, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Jokić at 29 and Murray at 26 a game. Without Watson (10 straight), Gordon (16 straight), Jones (2 straight). 2 days' rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 106, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 29 and James at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Vanderbilt (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, the Lakers allowing 106 a night to Denver's 116 and the arc, the Lakers at 39 percent from three to Denver's 34. Call it Denver 116, the Lakers 115, the Lakers keeping it close.
3/06 vs IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 108, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Dončić at 30 and James at 20 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 131, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Nembhard at 18 and Walker at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Thompson (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Lakers allowing 108 a night to Indiana's 131 and the arc, the Lakers at 41 percent from three to Indiana's 35. Call it the Lakers 122, Indiana 111, the Lakers by 11.
3/08 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 109, shooting 51 percent and 42 from three, 21 free throws a game; Dončić at 30 and James at 21 a game. One day's rest. New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 98, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Brunson at 20 and Anunoby at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 13 a night. Without McBride (18 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-13 a night and the Lakers minus-1 and the defense, New York allowing 98 a night to the Lakers' 109. Call it the Lakers 114, New York 113, New York keeping it close.
2/21 @ SAS 122-139 — SAC notes
SAC lost 122-139. SAC shot 47% (45 of 96) to SAS's 55%, 9 of 32 from three. SAC turned it over 12 times to SAS's 17. The glass went 35-48 against them. Murray led with 20 (7 of 16, 2 of 8 from three); DeRozan added 20, Monk 19. Q3 was theirs, 29-32, but the other 3 periods went 107-93 against them. DeRozan's -31 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/23 @ MEM 123-114 — SAC notes
SAC won 123-114. SAC shot 50% (47 of 94) to MEM's 48%, 10 of 29 from three. Westbrook led with 25 (8 of 17, 3 of 7 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Achiuwa added 22, DeRozan 19. The hinge was Q1, 33-25: from level to 8 ahead. Murray was the night's best plus/minus at +11.
2/25 @ HOU 97-128 — SAC notes
SAC lost 97-128. SAC shot 40% (37 of 93) to HOU's 55%, 7 of 32 from three. Westbrook led with 22 (10 of 19, 1 of 7 from three); Clifford added 15, DeRozan 15. Q4 was theirs, 21-20, the deficit cut from 32 to 31, but the other 3 periods went 108-76 against them. Monk's -25 in 19 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/26 @ DAL 130-121 — SAC notes
SAC won 130-121. SAC shot 50% (51 of 101) to DAL's 56%, 8 of 26 from three, and got to the line 25 times to DAL's 34. SAC turned it over 4 times to DAL's 17. Achiuwa led with 29 (13 of 19, 3 of 3 from three); Raynaud added 22, Plowden 19. The hinge was Q1, 42-28: from level to 14 ahead, and the lead reached 18. DeRozan was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
3/01 @ LAL 104-128 — SAC notes
SAC lost 104-128. SAC shot 47% (42 of 90) to LAL's 50%, 6 of 26 from three, and got to the line 15 times to LAL's 22. SAC turned it over 20 times to LAL's 9, and LAL turned those into 14 steals. The glass went 52-37 for them. Clifford led with 26 (11 of 18); Raynaud added 16, Westbrook 14. Q2 was theirs, 31-28, the deficit cut from 18 to 15, but the other 3 periods went 100-73 against them. Plowden's -30 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/03 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 28 from three, 22 free throws a game; Westbrook at 17 and Achiuwa at 16 a game. Without Murray (2 straight), LaVine (9 straight), Hunter (9 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 96 a night and allowing 106, shooting 38 percent and 33 from three, 13 free throws a game; Allen at 23 and Gillespie at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Booker (4 straight), Brooks (3 straight), Goodwin (3 straight). 4 days' rest.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 106 a night to Sacramento's 126 and the line, where Sacramento takes 22 free throws a game to Phoenix's 13. Call it Sacramento 113, Phoenix 112, Phoenix keeping it close.
3/05 vs NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 121, shooting 47 percent and 27 from three, 21 free throws a game; Westbrook at 19 and Achiuwa at 17 a game. Without Murray (3 straight), LaVine (10 straight), Hunter (10 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 116, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 26 free throws a game; Bey at 23 and Williamson at 18 a game. Without Poole (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, New Orleans giving it away 18 times a game to Sacramento's 13 and the arc, New Orleans at 32 percent from three to Sacramento's 27. Call it Sacramento 117, New Orleans 116, New Orleans keeping it close.
3/08 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 125, shooting 47 percent and 25 from three, 20 free throws a game; Achiuwa at 18 and Westbrook at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Murray (4 straight), LaVine (11 straight), Hunter (11 straight). 2 days' rest. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Buzelis at 21 and Sexton at 18 a game. Without Simons (6 straight), Smith (5 straight), Williams (4 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Chicago wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Chicago at 34 percent from three to Sacramento's 25 and the turnovers, Chicago giving it away 18 times a game to Sacramento's 11. Call it Chicago 116, Sacramento 115, Sacramento keeping it close.
3/10 vs IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 121, shooting 48 percent and 29 from three, 21 free throws a game; Achiuwa at 19 and Raynaud at 19 a game. Without Murray (5 straight), LaVine (12 straight), Hunter (12 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 129, shooting 46 percent and 31 from three, 24 free throws a game; Siakam at 26 and Walker at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Thompson (8 straight). One day's rest.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-0 a night and Indiana minus-9 and the defense, Sacramento allowing 121 a night to Indiana's 129. Call it Sacramento 121, Indiana 114.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
SACDC D. Carter
DD D. DeRozan
DE D. Eubanks
DP D. Plowden
KH K. Hayes
MM M. Monk
MR M. Raynaud
NC N. Clifford
PA P. Achiuwa
PB P. Baldwin Jr.
RW R. Westbrook
LALAR A. Reaves
AT A. Thiero
BJ B. James
DA D. Ayton
DK D. Knecht
DO Doncic
JH J. Hayes
JL J. LaRavia
KB K. Bufkin
LD L. Dončić
LJ L. James
LK L. Kennard
MK M. Kleber
MS M. Smart
RH R. Hachimura
SAC/LAL the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Luka and LeBron lead Lakers past Kings 128-104 to complete back-to-back weekend wins
LOS ANGELES -- — Luka Doncic had 28 points and nine assists, LeBron James added 24 points and the Los Angeles Lakers finished a back-to-back set with a 128-104 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night.
Austin Reaves scored 12 points for the Lakers, who also won at Golden State on Saturday to end a three-game skid. After a week of unimpressive play following the All-Star break, Los Angeles snapped back into form on the weekend, beating its two Northern California rivals by a combined 52 points.
Doncic made four 3-pointers as the NBA's leading scorer played only the first three quarters, while James, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard hit three 3s apiece. The Lakers made 17 of their first 33 3-point attempts while the starters were still playing, flirting with the franchise record for 3-point shooting percentage before finishing 18 of 39.
The 41-year-old James had a pair of rim-shaking dunks that he celebrated with zeal during a comfortable win for the Lakers, who never trailed again after Sacramento scored the game's opening basket.
Nique Clifford scored 26 points for the Kings in their fourth consecutive loss at the Lakers' downtown arena. Russell Westbrook had 14 points against his former team in his hometown.
NBA-worst Sacramento has lost 18 of 20.
Deandre Ayton had 12 points on 6-of-6 shooting for the Lakers, who opened a 22-point lead in the first half.
Doncic, Reaves and Ayton all got the fourth quarter off to rest up with four games looming over the next seven days. Los Angeles is still early in a five-week stretch with no consecutive days off.