SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — Stevie Thompson scored 24 points, including a crucial three-point play in the final minute, and the Wisconsin Herd survived a chaotic finish to edge the Stockton Kings 89-87 in the NBA G League on Saturday night at Golden 1 Center.

The game, which defied a pregame projection that gave Stockton a 91.7% probability to win, was decided by execution in the final seconds and a glaring disparity at the free-throw line. Wisconsin made 10 of 12 free throws while Stockton converted only 3 of 7.

The most critical sequence began with Wisconsin clinging to an 83-80 lead. After a Stockton timeout with 40 seconds remaining, the Kings forced a missed layup by Pete Nance, but their ensuing fast break was thwarted by Nance, who blocked Isaiah Stevens’ layup attempt. Stockton retained possession and DaQuan Jeffries hit a deep 3-pointer with 11 seconds left to tie the game at 83.

Wisconsin inbounded and immediately found Cormac Ryan, who was fouled by Daeqwon Plowden with 10 seconds on the clock. Ryan calmly sank both free throws to restore a two-point lead for the Herd. Stockton answered swiftly, as Jeffries hit another long 3-pointer, this time from 33 feet, off an assist from Plowden to put the Kings ahead 86-85 with just six seconds remaining.

Following a timeout, Wisconsin advanced the ball and Ryan was fouled again by Plowden, sending him to the line with four seconds left. Ryan made both shots to put Wisconsin back up by one. On the ensuing inbounds play, Ryan fouled Plowden with three seconds left. Plowden made the first free throw to tie the game at 87 but missed the second. Dennis Smith secured the defensive rebound for Wisconsin and, after a timeout, the Herd ran a final play. Smith’s heave at the buzzer missed, but the Herd had done enough to secure the narrow victory.

Wisconsin started strong, leading 26-20 after the first quarter, but Stockton dominated the second period, outscoring the Herd 35-23 to take a 55-49 lead into halftime. The Kings’ offense stalled in the third, managing only 14 points as Wisconsin closed the gap to 69-61. The Herd then erupted for 28 points in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback.

Thompson led all scorers for Wisconsin, adding five rebounds and four assists in 32 minutes. Cormac Ryan scored 22 points and Cam Martin posted a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds for the Herd, who improved to 5-14.

Stockton was led by DaQuan Jeffries and Daeqwon Plowden, who each scored 23 points. Jeffries added eight rebounds. Isaiah Stevens dished out 10 assists for the Kings, who fell to 11-8. Dylan Cardwell, from Evans, Georgia, contributed six points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.

Wisconsin’s defense was pivotal, forcing 22 Stockton turnovers and recording 17 steals. The Herd also outrebounded the Kings 45-41 and had a significant advantage in assists, 17-7.

The Herd will host College Park on Monday. Stockton’s next game is also Monday at home against Rio Grande Valley.