Philippines, 06 Jul 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Leonard, Spurs Steal One from Sacramento


PhilBoxing.com




Sacramento, California - The score was 68-66 with the Kings on top midway through the third quarter. Sacramento has been controlling the game right from the start to that point with the ball in their possession. Then Kawhi Leonard literally grabbed the ball away from Ben McLemore and drove all the way to the basket for an 'and-one'. In the ensuing play, the reigning back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awardee ripped the ball again from McLemore for another fastbreak finish. Leonard was once again superb all around with a team high 30 points to go along with 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals to lead the Spurs to a come-from-behind 102-94 victory over the Sacramento Kings at the brand new Golden1 Center in downtown Sacramento.

"He took two away in a row and said, `Gimme that.' He just grabbed it away from whoever it was," Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said. "He just grabbed it and took it twice in a row. I don't see many people doing that."

The San Antonio Spurs stay undefeated barely two days after they clobbered the Golden State on the Warriors' home floor on opening night. The Sacramento Kings are now 1-1. Both teams were shooting in the low 30s from beyond the arc with only six makes apiece. The Spurs swatted 8 shots, while no Kings player recorded a blocked shot. Gregg Popovich's wards also took better care of the ball with only 9 turnovers, while Dave Joerger's Kings turned the ball over 15 times.

Kings big man Demarcus Cousins led all scorers with 37 points on 10 for 22 field goal shooting and made 14 of 16 shots from the charity stripe. He also made 3 of his 5 attempts from the rainbow territory... but his efforts were not enough to stop the balanced attack of the Spurs, who had 8 players with at least 5 points to his name.

For the second consecutive game, the Spurs bench asserted its dominance over its counterparts. San Antonio's shock troopers tallied 43 points, while Sacramento could only muster 18 from its second unit.

Sacramento was leading 9 points midway through the third quarter when Leonard and company engineered a 16-2 run, holding the Kings without a field goal in the final 7:20 of the third frame. The Spurs then built a 10-point lead early in the fourth when the Kings went on a 12-2 run led by Cousins and Arron Afflalo to tie the game. But the Spurs kept pounding the rock, commenced by a cold-blooded fade away jumper by LaMarcus Aldridge to silence the raucous crowd.

Kawhi Leonard had 5 steals, just like he did versus Golden State. Sacramento had this one for the most part... until the Spurs decided to steal it away from them for good.

Photo: The brand new Golden1 Center in downtown Sacramento.

Comments are highly appreciated. You may email them to reylanloberternos@yahoo.com.ph and you may follow me on twitter @reylan_l


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Reylan Loberternos.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • War, Chess, and Writs: Why Mayweather vs. Pacquiao II is Postponed, Not Scrapped
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 06 Jul 2026
  • Nabunturan wins 3-on-3 MMA
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 06 Jul 2026
  • Clarion, Yanon suffer KO losses in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 06 Jul 2026
  • Abdullah Mason Stops Albert Bell To Defend Lightweight Crown
    , Sun, 05 Jul 2026
  • CARLO BIADO IS THE 2026 INDONESIA INTERNATIONAL OPEN CHAMPION
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 05 Jul 2026
  • Fight options for Manny
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 05 Jul 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The World Cup: a great celebration of peace and joy
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Sun, 05 Jul 2026
  • Abdullah Mason vs Albert Bell Debuts DAZN/TNT Sports Deal
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 04 Jul 2026
  • Jonas Magpantay advances to the quarterfinals
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 04 Jul 2026
  • Weigh-In Results: Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell
    , Sat, 04 Jul 2026
  • All Set for the All-Undefeated Clash Between Christopher Guerrero and Delante 'Tiger' Johnson Tomorrow Night in Cleveland
    , Sat, 04 Jul 2026
  • Brave Alvin "Felemon" Dologuin Bested in Australia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 04 Jul 2026
  • BKFC TRIUMPHANTLY RETURNS TO NEWARK’S PRUDENTIAL CENTER ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
    , Sat, 04 Jul 2026
  • Tony Yoka forced to withdraw from Murat Gassiev WBA heavyweight title shot due to back injury
    , Sat, 04 Jul 2026
  • Recarte Tiauson wins Canlaon chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 04 Jul 2026
  • Press Conference Notes: Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell Set for All-Ohio World Title Clash Saturday LIVE on TNT & DAZN
    , Fri, 03 Jul 2026
  • Dologuin Fights Alsayyad: Flyweight Showdown Today in Australia
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 03 Jul 2026
  • Enano to fight for IBO Oceania featherweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 03 Jul 2026
  • IM Garcia captures National Open chess title
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 03 Jul 2026
  • Open Workout: Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell Prepare For Saturday's All-Ohio World Title Showdown
    , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • Dela Peña stops Delos Santos, now ready for Slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • A Filipino Champion’s Last Fourth of July: A Visit to Oaks Ball Park
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • Amazing Muay Thai WBC 2026 Festival Consolidates Its Global Success in Bangkok
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • IBA Bare Knuckle unveils star-studded fight card ahead of its first event in the USA
    , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • Eman-Perez trilogy being set up in August
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.