Undrafted rookie blocks Zion Williamson to seal Kings' win

Dyland Cardwell's late-game heroics lift Sacramento over New Orleans Pelicans

Apr. 4, 2026 at 9:44pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the climactic moments of a basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes in the team colors of the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans overlapping to represent the intense action on the court.An undrafted rookie's last-second defensive stand lifts the Kings to an upset victory over the Pelicans.Today in Sacramento

In a thrilling finish, undrafted Sacramento Kings rookie Dyland Cardwell blocked two crucial shots from Pelicans superstar Zion Williamson in the final seconds to secure a victory for the Kings over the visiting New Orleans squad.

Why it matters

Cardwell's defensive stand against one of the NBA's most dominant players underscores the Kings' scrappy play and ability to pull off upsets, even against top-tier teams. The win also keeps Sacramento in the playoff hunt in the competitive Western Conference.

The details

With the game tied in the closing moments, Cardwell stepped up and twice denied Williamson at the rim, first swatting away a layup attempt and then altering a putback try to preserve the Kings' narrow lead. Cardwell's timely blocks capped off a strong all-around performance by the undrafted rookie, who finished with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks.

  • The game was played on April 4, 2026.

The players

Dyland Cardwell

An undrafted rookie forward for the Sacramento Kings who made the game-saving defensive plays in the final seconds.

Zion Williamson

The superstar forward for the New Orleans Pelicans who was denied at the rim by Cardwell in the closing moments.

Sacramento Kings

The NBA team that pulled off the upset victory over the visiting Pelicans.

New Orleans Pelicans

The NBA team that suffered a narrow defeat to the Kings despite the efforts of star player Zion Williamson.

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What they’re saying

“Dyland just made winning plays when it mattered most. That's why he's on this team - he competes his tail off every night.”

— Mike Brown, Head Coach, Sacramento Kings

“Cardwell came out of nowhere and made two huge blocks. I give him a lot of credit, he really stepped up in a big moment.”

— Zion Williamson

What’s next

The Kings will look to build on this momentum as they continue their playoff push, with key matchups against other Western Conference contenders coming up on the schedule.

The takeaway

Undrafted players like Dyland Cardwell can make a major impact, as his defensive heroics against one of the NBA's biggest stars proved. The Kings' ability to pull off this upset win over a talented Pelicans team shows their competitive spirit and potential to be a surprise playoff team this season.