The “Beam Team” struck again on Sunday night, this time against the All-Star stacked LA Clippers. During the showdown hosted by the Clippers, the crowd broke out with the chant “Light the Beam” after witnessing a stellar performance by De’Aaron Fox. Fox finished with a staggering 33 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. It’s safe to say he “lit the beam” indeed!
The Sacramento Kings emerged victorious with 123-107 over the LA Clippers in the Los Angeles Crypto stadium. While Powell bagged the most points for the Clippers with 21 points, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden weren’t too far behind with 20 points each, but to no respite. Los Angeles Clippers lost, resulting in its second loss in a row for the first time since December 2023.
Light the Beam has returned to Crypto pic.twitter.com/q9F9qLlDZH
— Law Murray ❤️🔥 (@LawMurrayTheNU) February 26, 2024
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Even teammate Domantas Sabonis, in his post-game interview, stated, “Coach wanted us to be aggressive, but it all started with Fox. You know, it was a Fox show tonight… Offense, defense, he did everything. He basically won us the game.”
"It was a Fox show tonight … He basically won us the game."
Domas salutes De'Aaron for his impressive performance 🫡 pic.twitter.com/5mwQy3iM0I
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 26, 2024
The Kings displayed impressive control throughout the game, pulling away with a 10-0 run to open the third quarter. Harrison Barnes further extended their lead with a timely three-pointer, pushing the advantage to 18 points.
While Fox stole the spotlight, his teammates made crucial contributions to the victory. Domantas Sabonis, the NBA’s leading triple-double king, provided a near triple-double himself with 17 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists. Harrison Barnes added a significant 22 points, and Kevin Huerter chipped in with 15 points. Notably, this win marks Sabonis’ 20th triple-double of the season.
De’Aaron Fox, drafted by the Kings 5th overall in the 2017 NBA draft, has consistently delivered remarkable performances. Earlier this season, he dropped a season-high 43 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists against the San Antonio Spurs. Despite his height of 6’3″, Fox boasts an impressive wingspan of nearly 6’7″, making him a difficult match-up at the rim.
The story behind “Light the Beam”
The iconic “Light the Beam” chant resonated throughout the Crypto arena, a celebration born from the Kings’ playoff resilience. On April 16th, 2023, they captured their first playoff game in 16 years by defeating the defending champion Golden State Warriors in a thrilling 126-123 victory. As the crowd erupted, De’Aaron Fox, instrumental in the win with 38 points and 5 assists, ignited the giant purple laser beam, symbolizing a new era for the Kings.
LIGHT THE BEAM! #KingsFTW | @RedHawkCasino pic.twitter.com/uGOSykEYvz
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) November 14, 2022
This chant has transcended the Sacramento fanbase, becoming a war cry for Kings fans across the league. Initially unveiled on “916 Day” (September 16th), a tribute to Sacramento’s area code, it wasn’t until their season opener victory against the Miami Heat that the beam truly lit up the night sky.
As the “Light the Beam” chant echoed throughout the arena, one thing is certain: the Sacramento Kings are back, and they’re ready to claim their place among the league’s elite. Comment your thoughts below!
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