Giannis Antetokounmpo and Klay Thompson Stop Sacramento’s Late Charge

The Sacramento Kings had Miami down to one point in the fourth quarter, and rookie Darius Acuff Jr. had turned the floor into his own fast-moving stage. But Giannis Antetokounmpo and Klay Thompson answered every late challenge Sunday, lifting the Heat to a 114-108 win in Sacramento.

Miami arrived at 3-6 looking to turn its talent into steady wins. Sacramento, 1-8 entering the game, was still searching for signs that its new era around Acuff could grow quickly. The rookie delivered a huge chapter with 32 points and 10 assists, passes that directly lead to baskets. Yet Miami’s veteran stars made the key plays when the game tightened.

Acuff started hot, drilling two early three-pointers as Sacramento built a 10-5 lead. Miami responded with its outside shooting. Thompson hit a three, then Antetokounmpo scored on a pullup jumper and a powerful dunk to help the Heat grab control. Thompson’s long three later pushed Miami ahead 23-19, and the Heat finished the first quarter ahead 34-30.

Sacramento kept punching back in the second period. Three-pointers from forward Black and guard Plowden helped tie the game at 43, while Acuff kept finding open teammates. Then Miami’s size and ball movement took over. Antetokounmpo scored seven points during a key stretch, and Bam Adebayo added a driving layup plus a free throw. The Heat closed the half on a 9-0 burst, capped by Antetokounmpo’s putback, for a 68-59 lead.

Miami stretched that lead to 75-59 early in the third when Antetokounmpo scored twice and guard Larsson hit a three. The Kings refused to fade. Acuff scored inside, LaVine buried a three, and center Cardwell created extra chances with offensive rebounds. Sacramento trimmed the gap to four at 80-76, but Thompson struck again. He hit three baskets in the final minutes of the quarter, including two from deep, and Miami carried a 91-81 lead into the fourth.

Then came Sacramento’s fiercest push. Guard Sharp scored, Malik Monk turned two steals into fast baskets, and Monk’s layup made it 91-90 with 9:24 left. Acuff’s three later cut the score to 94-93. The comeback mattered because it showed the young Kings could pressure a deeper team without giving in.

Miami stayed calm. Larsson hit a three, Davion Mitchell scored twice inside, and Antetokounmpo made three late midrange jumpers. Thompson also finished with 23 points and seven three-pointers, giving Miami the spacing its powerful frontcourt needed. Antetokounmpo led with 29 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals, while Adebayo added 18 points and three steals.

The Heat improved to 4-6 and next face the Utah Jazz, with this win showing how their stars can close a close game together. The Kings fell to 1-9 before meeting the Orlando Magic, but Acuff’s 32-point, 10-assist performance gave Sacramento another strong sign that its future leader is already learning how to command the biggest moments.