Purple Reign
Starter
9. Sacramento 104, Minnesota 87
Game 6, 2004 Western Conference 2nd Round
May 16, 2004
Arco Arena, Sacramento
The bench of this version of the Sacramento Kings was by far the worst playoff bench in the Rick Adelman era. But this game will be remembered by positive as well as negative contributions from the bench players. Jabari Smith’s two free throws and Rodney Buford’s baseline jumper late in the fourth quarter sealed the deal for the Kings to force a Game Seven. Anthony Peeler’s late game brawl with Kevin Garnett turned the game around as the Timberwolves was mounting a late game push. However the fight led to Peeler’s suspension for Game Seven, and sealed Sacramento’s ultimate fate.
8. Utah 99, Sacramento 92
Game 5, 1999 Western Conference 1st Round
Delta Center, Salt Lake City
May 16, 1999
The Kings first exposure to the nation was this thrilling last game of a very entertaining 1st Round series between the Kings and Jazz. The youngsters from Sacramento revealed early game jitters falling behind quick to the veteran Malone and Stockton led Jazz. But the Kings fought their way back and played the Jazz even throughout the game, in spite of the poor play from Jason Williams. Vlade Divac’s missed hook shot in the lane in the last seconds averted a monumental Kings upset. The Jazz controlled overtime and won the game. But this was the beginning of wonderful things to come for a very young Kings franchise.
Game 6, 2004 Western Conference 2nd Round
May 16, 2004
Arco Arena, Sacramento
The bench of this version of the Sacramento Kings was by far the worst playoff bench in the Rick Adelman era. But this game will be remembered by positive as well as negative contributions from the bench players. Jabari Smith’s two free throws and Rodney Buford’s baseline jumper late in the fourth quarter sealed the deal for the Kings to force a Game Seven. Anthony Peeler’s late game brawl with Kevin Garnett turned the game around as the Timberwolves was mounting a late game push. However the fight led to Peeler’s suspension for Game Seven, and sealed Sacramento’s ultimate fate.
8. Utah 99, Sacramento 92
Game 5, 1999 Western Conference 1st Round
Delta Center, Salt Lake City
May 16, 1999
The Kings first exposure to the nation was this thrilling last game of a very entertaining 1st Round series between the Kings and Jazz. The youngsters from Sacramento revealed early game jitters falling behind quick to the veteran Malone and Stockton led Jazz. But the Kings fought their way back and played the Jazz even throughout the game, in spite of the poor play from Jason Williams. Vlade Divac’s missed hook shot in the lane in the last seconds averted a monumental Kings upset. The Jazz controlled overtime and won the game. But this was the beginning of wonderful things to come for a very young Kings franchise.