Jae Crowder starts, adds to Kings win hours after signing contract NBC Bay Area [Video]

In a matter of less than 24 hours, Jae Crowder went from an NBA free agent to starting for the Kings. 

And what a memorable Kings debut it was for the veteran forward in Sacramento’s cathartic 115-104 road victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night at Target Center.

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) November 28, 2024

Crowder finished with eight points, four rebounds and a steal, although it was his late-game defensive play on Minnesota forward Julius Randle that earned the proven veteran the Kings’ Defensive Player of the Game nod. 

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) November 28, 2024

But perhaps more impressive was the 34-year-old’s ability to hit the court running on such a short notice.

According to coach Mike Brown, Crowder landed in Minnesota at 11 p.m. on Tuesday night but was not cleared to sign his Kings contractor play until three hours before tipoff, having to go through a series of physical tests and team-oriented meetings …