All You Need to Know About Sacramento Kings’ Purple Laser Beam Celebration

• The Sacramento Kings unveiled the purple laser beam on September 16 last year
• They light the beam when the Kings win an NBA game
• The Kings used the beam to celebrate their wins against the Warriors in this year's playoffs

The Sacramento Kings defeated the Golden State Warriors in another thriller on Monday night, 104-96, to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven series.

Malik Monk, who finished with 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists, walked over to center court after Game 2 to lead the team’s one-of-a-kind victory celebration.  

He smashed the purple button after the countdown, firing a giant purple laser beam up into the sky above Golden 1 Center.

Here's all you need to know about the Sacramento Kings' purple laser beam celebration. 

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How does the beam work? 

So what is the science behind this purple beam? According to Jae Yong Suk, the associate director of the UC Davis California Lighting Technology Center, the beam used at Sacramento’s home arena is "made up of six total Nu-Salt Laser Space Cannons.”

He explained that two blue, two red, and two green Nu-Salt Laser Space Cannons focus together to make one bright purple laser beam.

The reason why they use lasers instead of LED lights is that the former focuses the light in one single direction.

The lasers used in this operation need 1,800 watts of total power, per CBS News.

The beam can reach space 

Suk confirmed that it is very possible that the purple laser beam can reach space on a very clear night.

Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive loves that part about the beam, saying he likes “the notion that this just goes into outer space.” He added that he wants everyone to see it, including aliens.   

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When was it first lit?

The Sacramento Kings unveiled the purple beam for the very first time on September 16 last year. That date holds special significance for locals as that is 916 Day, a tribute to the city’s original area code.

The Kings first lit the beam on October 29, when they recorded their first win of the season against the Miami Heat.

The Kings first sent a video of the lighting on November 13. The beam's popularity grew as Sacramento racked up wins this season.  

Players love the beam 

Sacramento’s players embraced the concept. De’Aaron Fox wrote “LIGHT THE BEAM” on his Twitter account as the Kings embarked on a seven-game winning streak in November.

Fox said that the laser beam celebration gave him added motivation to win for the Kings this campaign.

Kevin Huerter joined the fun, starting the hashtag #BeamTeam for Sacramento.

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The fun has never stopped for the Kings and their fans, with Sacramento now just two wins away from a spot in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Green ejected after Sabonis stomp

Sports Brief recently reported on the Kings’ win over the Warriors in Game 2.

Draymond Green grabbed the headlines in this contest after stomping on Domantas Sabonis’ chest in the fourth quarter.

Green’s ejection contributed to the Warriors’ 114-106 loss.