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Monday night’s game between the Los Angeles Clippers held some meaning for a couple reasons.

Firstly, Blake Griffin, the inevitable Rookie of the Year, made an appearance at Arco Arena. Secondly, and most importantly, the venue sold out, due to the fact that a campaign organized by a group of diehard Kings fans succeeded.

That aside, a competitive game took place. Both teams shared leads throughout, but it was the 16 points by newly acquired Marcus Thornton that made the difference as Sacramento rallied in the final period and defeated Los Angeles 105-99.

The first half was tightly contested as both teams were tied at 29-all while the second found the Clippers outscoring the Kings by one, taking a 52-51 lead to their locker room at halftime.

Mo Williams connected with Griffin on an alley-oop dunk, then hobbled off the court after turning his ankle late in the third quarter, with the Clipper ahead 73-70. Williams returned to the game to begin the fourth. Los Angeles, courtesy of Griffin’s nine points and Randy Foye’s seven, went to the final 12 minutes ahead 83-78.

With the Kings down 91-88, Omri Casspi scored on a fast-break dunk and Beno Udrih followed that up with a wide-open 3-pointer with 5:19 left to go, giving Sacramento a 93-91 lead.

The Kings ran off nine straight points, the final two on an alley-oop dunk coming from a Thornton-to-Casspi pass, putting Sacramento ahead 97-91 advantage with 4:22 remaining.

Foye drained a 3 to cut the Kings’ lead to 98-94, but the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan missed four straight free throws, the final two with 1:32 left.

Williams connected on a trey, but Thornton replied with a pair of free throws to give Sacramento a 100–97 lead with 31.7 seconds left to go in the contest. the Clippers missed on several 3-point shots in the final 20 seconds, sealing their fate.

Thornton led the Kings from off the bench with a game-high 29 points, along with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and a block while Udrih added 19 with 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Casspi chipped in 15 with 8 rebounds, along with 2 steals.

Griffin led the Clippers with 27 points, along with 12 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal while Foye added 23 with 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Williams chipped in 16 with 2 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals.

Both teams return to action on Wednesday night when Sacramento (15-43) remains at Power Balance Pavilion (name begins March 1) to host the Portland Trail Blazers while Los Angeles (21-40) returns home to host the Houston Rockets.