The season finale saw both the Denver Nuggets and the Sacramento Kings go deep into their benches. The Kings nearly pulled off a second-half comeback but lost 103-98.
The Kings’ starters played much fewer minutes than usual. Trey Lyles had a team-high 14 points off the bench. PJ Dozier scored a season-high 10.
The eventual NBA champion Nuggets, playing without Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and others, were led by Bruce Brown’s 18 points.
The loss ends the Kings’ replay season at 47-35 — one win short of the 48 they posted in real life.
2022-23 Sacramento Kings Replay Home Page
An early 11-0 run put the Nuggets up 11-2; the Kings then responded with a 13-0 run to go back in front at 15-11. Denver led 23-20 at the end of the first quarter.
The Nuggets pushed the lead back up to nine on multiple occasions, then took their first double-digit lead near the end of the quarter at 51-40. It was 51-42 at halftime.
Denver took its largest lead of the game, 14 points, three times midway through the third quarter. A 10-0 run got the Kings back within one at 74-73. Denver led 78-75 heading to the final period.
Lyles hit a three-pointer to give the Kings their first lead since the first quarter at 81-80. That was the first of eight lead changes over the next five minutes. A Keegan Murray three-pointer tied the game at 92 with under five minutes to play. Denver hit three three-pointers and outscored the Kings 11-6 from that point on.
This game was played with Bank Shot Basketball.
