Liftoff for the game tonight, April 5, 2026 at UCLA Health Training Center; the South Bay Lakers versus the Stockton Kings. Fans filled the venue as the playoff semi-finals and the Western Conference competition were unfolding in front of their eyes. LA Momentum was here to cover tonight’s action packed match.
The Stockton Kings started the lead and fans all around were making sure the South Bay Lakers knew that their faith remained in their team taking the dub tonight. However, the Stockton Kings had their own traveling fanbase right behind them cheering them on and hoping for a win away from home.
The South Bay Lakers were only 1 point behind the Kings which inevitably went their way as they took the lead in the 4 minute remaining mark (17-16). The Lakers called a time out ready to talk game for the rest of the 1st period. The game continued and the fans continued with their roaring cheers as the Lakers girls brought the energy back up.
South Bay Lakers’ William Hickey (#7) demonstrated determination as he kept the team on top despite the Stockton Kings’ consistent defending, keeping their trail short.
The first quarter ended with the South Bay Lakers leading by 1 point. Describing this as a close game is not enough to justify the energy and the adrenaline that was felt throughout the entire venue. The score at the end of the first quarter was (28-27) and this was enough to motivate the Lakers to continue their lead through the second quarter. The question kept running through LA Momentum’s team, “Will the South Bay Lakers or the Stockton Kings be the Western Conference champs by the end of tonight?”
Lakers’ Luck Goode (#21) started the second quarter with a 3 giving the Kings a taste of what was to come. But the Stockton Kings gave them the same energy back making two back to back 3s. Arthur Kaluma (#47) took the lead back and RJ Davis (#2) solidified that lead with a 3 pointer making the score (36-32). Every call the referees made against the South Bay Lakers raised frustration on the bench and through the fans as the Stockton Kings reached the Lakers’ leading score. South Bay Lakers called a time out with 7 minutes left on the clock as they reached a tie game with the Kings.
At the end of the first half, the South Bay Lakers remained on top by, once again, 1 point (56-55). The Stockton Kings were playing a phenomenal game trailing the Lakers and keeping them on edge, but it was not resulting in enough for them to take the lead by the end of this quarter. Jameer Nelson Jr. (#2) for the Stockton Kings was playing a great game and keeping the South Bay Lakers’ defense on top of their best defensive strategies. Jameer Nelson Jr. ended the first half marking a total of 14 points and 1 assist while South Bay Lakers’ R.J. Davis was a huge asset to keeping the Lakers up, marking a total of 19 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists.
The 3rd quarter was as action packed as the first two quarters. With 6 minutes left on the clock Anton Watson (#22) hit a 3 pointer as the Stockton Kings called a timeout, and South Bay Lakers lead by 9 points (66-57). Patrick Baldwin Jr. (#23) kept the Stockton Kings’ score rising to reach the tie with the Lakers as he bolted through the Lakers’ defense.
With 1 minute left on the clock, the Kings tied the game (74-74). The crowd all collectively let out a sigh as they wondered who would maintain the lead going into the 4th quarter. Drew Timme (#11) provided that answer for everyone in the venue securing the lead (78-74) before heading towards the final and deciding quarter of the night.
Ending the 3rd quarter Jameer Nelson Jr. (#2) had 18 points marked for the Kings, 2 rebounds and 3 assists. RJ Davis (#2) had 21 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists for the South Bay Lakers.
The start of the fourth quarter was a very important head start for the South Bay Lakers, it was vital that they kept that lead to secure the Western Conference Final heading into the playoffs final. The South Bay Lakers did just that and maintained the lead (91-86) with 4 minutes left on the board. This gave the fans all that excitement and hope for the Lakers to defeat the Stockton Kings today April 5, 2026.
With only 2 minutes and 41 seconds left on the clock, the South Bay Lakers and their loyal supporters faced the situation that they hoped they wouldn’t have to face. The Lakers took a chance and challenged a play to determine the foul call. The Stockton Kings took the lead by 1 point (91-92). The Lakers bench and the Kings bench sat anxiously waiting for the challenge to come to a conclusion. The Lakers’ challenge was successful.
Then the Stockton Kings traveling fans went from being glued to their seats with anxiety running through their veins, to off their feet and jumping as the Kings took the lead with 5 second remaining on the clock. The South Bay Lakers held onto hope with the last play, as Malik Williams (#35) failed to score the 3 pointer that would give them a closer chance to the final score.
The final buzzer rang through UCLA Health Training Center as the Stockton Kings’ fans and players erupted into excitement as they were named the Western Conference Champions and prepared to mover forward in the playoffs.
Amazing season to the South Bay Lakers from the LA MOMENTUM FAMILY!
Article and Images by: Daisy Lopez (@dlpzfiles) for LA Momentum
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