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Lakers, Kings mercifully end seasons in LA

Apr 15, 2015 - 2:42 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The storied franchise that is the Los Angeles Lakers will close the books on what has been a disappointing season Wednesday versus the Pacific-rival Sacramento Kings at Staples Center.

The Lakers set the record for most losses in franchise history with a 21-60 mark and will miss the playoffs for a second straight season. Superstar and future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant played only 35 games this season because of a shoulder injury and rookie Julius Randle (leg) appeared in just one game.

Los Angeles opened this home-and-home series versus the Kings with Monday's 102-92 setback at Sleep Train Arena, as rookie Jordan Clarkson scored 23 points and Jabari Brown added 18. Jordan Hill also scored 18 points for the Lakers, losers in two straight and seven of eight games.

The Kings held an 89-88 edge with 4:28 left before pulling away with a 10-1 run. Omri Casspi jumpstarted the surge with a pair of free throws and capped it with a layup for a 99-89 advantage with 1:52 left.

LA never got within less than nine the rest of the way.

Clarkson left the game in the fourth quarter with a left ankle sprain. He is averaging 20.2 ppg in his last 13 contests.

"Just a little sore, obviously we will know a little bit more tomorrow," Lakers coach Byron Scott said of the ankle.

The Lakers are 12-28 at home this season and have lost nine of the last 12 games as the host.

Sacramento hasn't made the playoffs since the 2005-06 season and looked like a contender in Monday's win.

The Kings made 49 percent of their shots and were led by Casspi's 26 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Derrick Williams scored 20 points off the bench, Carl Landry chipped in 14 and Jason Thompson ended with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.

"I can't deny that I'm a little disappointed that I didn't get a little bit more out of them... We'll have a good (draft) pick and I think where we're at, it's gotta be a good pick," Kings coach George Karl said.

Karl took over as coach during the All-Star break and is 10-19. Karl hasn't had the luxury of using DeMarcus Cousins (foot) or Rudy Gay (concussion) lately, and the two are finished for the season.

Casspi is averaging 19.9 points in his last eight games with Cousins and Gay limited. The Kings are 5-17 without Cousins and 3-10 minus Gay. Point guard Darren Collison (abdomen/hip) couldn't avoid the injury bug either and the Kings are 12-24 without him.

The Kings are winless in their last six road games and 10-30 as the guest.

Sacramento has won three of the last four games against the Lakers, but is winless in the past six as the visitor in this series.