Not only did the Kings come away with a big win against a few familiar faces, but they did so with help from two unlikely contributors.
Beating former teammates Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield and the Indiana Pacers 110-109 on Wednesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Sacramento received key contributions from Davion Mitchell, Chimezie Metu and Damian Jones.
Jones only scored 12 points, but came away with the biggest basket, a go-ahead putback with 1.5 seconds left in regulation.
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Jones had this to say about his first career game-winner after the game.
"It felt good. I don't think I've hit a game-winner, it felt good to get a dub against former teammates, rub it in a little bit," Jones told reporters after the game.
"Just coming in and hoping. I put in the work, so every time I touch the floor I know what I'm able to do. Just going out there and keeping that same confidence."
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Metu scored a season-high 22-points off the bench in 26 minutes of action, the most floor time he has seen since Feb. 8. The 25-year-old has been in and out of the lineup all season and just so happened to put together his best offensive performance in a game where Sacramento needed it the most.
"It feels really good, just from a standpoint of keeping my head down and just continuing to work," Metu said evaluating his own performance. "Obviously, knowing eventually it will pay off and tonight was just a glimpse of what I can do if I keep working and keep my head down. I'm going to continue to do that, it felt great."
Kings interim coach Alvin Gentry recognizes the hard work both Metu and Jones display on a nightly basis, despite the inconsistent playing time.
"They play hard night in and night out, they compete at the highest level," Gentry said postgame. "They don't always play great, but I don't know anyone who always plays great every single night. But I do know that they give us the effort every single night and I think that's what's great. And for [Chimezie] it's really important because he's been in the lineup, out of the lineup. He's been in the rotation, out of the rotation and he still brings the same thing night in and night out."
The two were also happy for each other.
"I was super excited," Metu said of Jones' game-winning score. "D-Jones he comes in, does his work, never complains, never crying or whatever. Whether he's playing or not playing, he just comes in and does his thing every day. It's great to see him make a play that big for us."
Having lost three straight, the Kings are back in the win column as they continue to pursue -- albeit barely -- one of the final spots in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
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With just eight games remaining, Sacramento (26-48) is five games back of the New Orleans Pelicans (30-42) with the San Antonio Spurs (28-44) sandwiched between them. As unlikely as a postseason appearance is, the Kings continue to show fight.
"I think it speaks volumes about these guys that we're not quitting and we're continuing to fight and continue to battle and we did it all last week," Gentry added. "I'm glad they have something tangible to show for it."
Sacramento's final eight games consist of matchups against the Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets (twice), Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns.