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‘I'd Probably Be Out There': Kings Players, Owner Address Protests Over Sacramento Police Shooting

The game was secondary to what was going on outside the arena

On the best night of his rookie season, Sacramento's Justin Jackson had a difficult time keeping his mind off the protests going on outside of Golden1 Center. 

He was far from alone in his feelings, with Kings owner Vivek Ranadive taking to the court after the game to say that the fatal shooting of Stephon Clark by Sacramento police was "absolutely horrific" and the Kings respected those  protesting his death. 

Players from both the Kings and Atlanta Hawks were admittedly distracted by the large group of demonstrators who were locked arm-in-arm surrounding entrances to the arena before and during the game, forcing fans who couldn't get into the arena to go home. 

"It definitely throws you off for sure," Jackson said after Sacramento's 105-90 victory Thursday night. "It even throws you off going out there and seeing all those seats empty and you know why. It was definitely tough. We did a good job of trying to stay as locked in as we could." 

Jackson scored 11 of his season-high 20 points in the third quarter, shot 7 of 8 and was perfect on four shots beyond the arc to help the Kings split the season series with the Hawks while avenging their worst loss of the season. Atlanta beat Sacramento 126-80 in November. 

Buddy Hield and Frank Mason scored 16 points apiece, while Kosta Koufos added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings. 

The game and stats, though, were secondary to what was going on outside the arena. 

The crowd of hundreds shut down nearby freeways and gathered in the surrounding streets to protest the police shooting of Clark, an unarmed black man who was in the backyard of his grandparents' house Sunday night. According to reports, Clark was shot 20 times. 

An estimated crowd of fewer than 2,000 made it into the 17,600-seat Golden1 Center before police decided to not allow anyone else to enter. Several of those who did get in were allowed to move down into the lower bowl of the arena, leaving the upper deck empty. 

There was also talk of canceling or postponing the game before the NBA made the decision to play. 

"Basketball was secondary tonight," Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "The league obviously made the decision that I think was in the best interest of the safety of the fans that were already in the arena. I think it was the right decision by the league but certainly not an easy one." 

After the game, Kings owner Ranadive addressed the small crowd from center court while surrounded by Sacramento's players and coaches and expressed his sympathies toward the Clark family. 

"We are so very sorry for your loss," Ranadive said. "We at the Kings recognize people's abilities to protest peacefully and we respect that. We here at the Kings realize that we have a big platform. It's a privilege but it's also a responsibility. It's a responsibility that we take very seriously and we stand here before you, old, young, black, white, brown, and we are all united in our commitment. 

"We recognize that it is not just business as usual and we are going to work really hard to bring everybody together to make the world a better place, starting in our own community. We are going to work really hard to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again." 

Sacramento's Vince Carter said players from both teams talked to one another about the situation throughout the game. An eight-time All-Star, Carter praised Ranadive's postgame comments. 

"What Vivek said speaks volumes," Carter said. "Regardless of your skin color, it's just what's right and what's wrong and how we can support each other, even if it has nothing to do with you. Lend a hand and support. That's the message that needs to shine through all of this." 

Kings player Garrett Temple, sidelined with a sprained left ankle, said he was "100 percent" in agreement with the protest, he told The Sacramento Bee

"If I didn't have a job to do, I'd probably be out there with them, peacefully protesting because what's going on has to stop, it has to stop," he said.  

Temple added that playing a basketball games wasn't going to change that police "unfortunately view black and brown men as a threat when they certainly are not." 

With so few fans in attendance, the game often had the look and feel of a high school playoff. 

"For me it's weird because I'd like to come enjoy a basketball game, but there's also kind of a dark cloud over the game that makes it hard to enjoy," season-ticket holder David Stauffer told The Sacramento Bee. "I'm here to enjoy a leisurely basketball game, but the protesters are protesting something that's legitimate and important.  

The Kings led most of the way and pulled away in the second half behind Jackson and Hield, who scored 10 points in the fourth quarter. 

"It was a tough game to play under the circumstances," Sacramento coach Dave Joerger said. "Your care is for your own safety and your family that is coming to the game, not knowing how things are going to come out." 

Isaiah Taylor scored 18 points, Dewayne Dedmon added 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Tyler Dorsey made three 3s and scored 11 points for Atlanta. The Hawks have lost three straight in Sacramento. 

"It was a tough one for us as a team," Dorsey said. "But the NBA felt it was best for us to play this game. That's a serious situation, for real. It's tough to play under that all game, knowing that's outside the arena going on." 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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