Kings improve to 10 games over .500 for first time since 2004-05

De’Aaron Fox and the Sacramento Kings continue to make history.

Not only did the All-Star guard exceed the 30-point mark for the seventh-straight game, but the Kings improved to ten games over the .500 mark for the first time in over 17 years during Sunday night’s 124-115 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Sacramento improved to 35-25 on the season following its third-straight win, marking the first time the franchise had held a record ten games over the .500 mark since the 2004-05 campaign–a year in which the team won 50 games.

The win also marked the team’s 17th road win of the year, the franchise’s most since 2005-06 (17).

Thanks to another 30-point effort from Fox and some help from rookie forward Keegan Murray (20 points), the Kings gained some space between themselves and the Phoenix Suns (three games) and Dallas Mavericks (four games) in the Western Conference standings.

DE’AARON FOX WINDMILL 😱 pic.twitter.com/a1GH3m4pmj

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 27, 2023

After a historic 176-175 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night–the second-highest scoring game in NBA history–the Kings’ offense picked up right where it left off when action tipped off in Oklahoma City.

Sacramento jumped out to a 36-26 after one quarter of play thanks to strong starts from its All-Star duo of Fox and Sabonis (nine points each) as the Kings entered the second quarter with a double-digit advantage.

While the first 12 minutes included 56 percent shooting from the field, Sacramento slowed its roll to just 36 percent shooting during the second quarter. Thanks to a big half from Fox (14 points), the Kings took a 58-50 lead into the break–but one question remained:

Could Sacramento put this short-handed Thunder team away?

Oklahoma City refused to go down quietly as they converted eight of their 12 attempts from beyond the arc during a 40-point third quarter. Fox continued to score at will, but the Sacramento defense struggled as the Kings entered the fourth with a slim 94-90 lead.

Usually, this would be a spot for ‘Fourth Quarter Fox’ to make an appearance, but on this night, the Kings’ bench decided to give the All-Star closer a night off from his late-game heroics.

Malik Monk and Trey Lyles got hot from beyond the arc as Sacramento’s defense sealed off the perimeter, allowing the Kings to push its lead back into double-digits and put the game out of reach. Of course, Fox chipped in with some baskets of his own to put a cherry on top of things, but Sacramento secured this win with the help of some supporting cast members.

Trey Lyles AGAIN ‼️ pic.twitter.com/k1hfn33dwh

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 27, 2023

Lyles (16 points and six rebounds on three-of-five shooting from deep) and Monk (12 points on four-of-five shooting from deep) knocked down big shots down the stretch in the fourth, and Fox’s triple with 90 seconds remaining sealed the deal as the Kings pulled out another road victory.

Although Oklahoma City was without All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous Alexander, the Thunder challenged Sacramento’s defense with a 16-of-40 (40%) showing from beyond the arc to make things interesting in the second half.

The Kings had too much depth for OKC, as they used its depth to its advantage on Sunday evening, with Fox’s 33 points on 11-of-19 shooting leading the way.

Fox–who also dished out eight assists and swiped two steals during the win–became only the sixth NBA player to score 30+ points in seven or more consecutive games, joining fellow All-Star talents Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, LeBron James and Gilgeous-Alexander,

Over his past seven games, Fox is averaging 34.4 points, 6.9 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game. The first-time All-Star has topped the 30-point mark nine times over the past ten games.

Fourth-Quarter Fox at it again 😏 pic.twitter.com/i0oBD5oab4

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 27, 2023

Fox got some late help from his bench in Lyles and Monk, but Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis also carried their weight on Sunday.

Murray did a bit of everything during the win as the rookie scored 20 points on seven-of-15 shooting (four-of-nine from deep) to go along with six boards, two assists, and three steals over 32 minutes. Sacramento improved to 9-0 this season when Murray scores 20+ points.

The fourth-overall pick from last summer’s NBA Draft continues to show his ability to create his own offense as Murray converted three of his four attempts around the rim during the win.

Speaking of around the rim–Sabonis continued to earn the ‘Mr. Double-Double’ nickname against a weak Thunder frontline.

Sabonis racked up his league-leading 48th double-double while scoring 14 points (six-of-eight shooting), pulling down 15 rebounds, and passing out eight assists. The three-time All-Star knocked down his only attempt from three-point land, his first since February 6th (six games).

Domas no-look dish 👀 pic.twitter.com/dVPJmvxAPF

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 27, 2023

A majority of Sunday’s contributions came from three players that Sacramento hopes will someday form a ‘big three’ of sorts, and Murray’s growth will be an essential part of that reality.

Murray has taken strides over the past two games, scoring 15 points on seven-of-12 shooting during Friday’s thriller in Los Angeles before pouring in 20 points in Oklahoma City.

As the Kings inch closer to the franchise’s first postseason birth in 17 years, they are beginning to see their rookie become a top-three option alongside All-Star talents Fox and Sabonis.

Now that’s something to be excited about–growth. Both Murray and the Sacramento Kings have that in common this season, as they are simultaneously turning into something special before our very eyes.

Mr. 3000

Legendary radio broadcaster Gary Gerould celebrated his 3,000th broadcast on Sunday night, a memorable accomplishment for the true voice of Sacramento Kings basketball.

Kings head coach Mike Brown said postgame that the team awarded its Defensive Player of the Game chain to Gerould in a way to honor the

“Communication is a huge staple of mine. A guy that communicated the most within our organization is G-Man,” Brown said. “G-Man got the chain tonight. He has communicated for 3,000 games for us, which is an unprecedented mark.”

Congratulations to G-Man, who has been a constant presence of light around this franchise during some dark times. This man deserves to call some NBA Playoff games, and the Kings are doing everything they can to give him that gift this year.

Mike Brown gave tonight’s DPOG chain to @ggerould 👑 pic.twitter.com/FW6fWb6UnJ

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 27, 2023

“I just can’t think of the Kings without The G-Man.”

Before @GGerould makes call No. 3,000 tonight, take a look back at his 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐘 career and hear from those who he’s inspired along the way 🎙 pic.twitter.com/GAjVRcWxcc

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 26, 2023

Next Game

Sacramento will conclude its brief three-game road trip with a rematch against Oklahoma City on Tuesday night at Paycom Center.

Be sure to get all of your Kings vs. Thunder coverage right here on Sactown Sports 1140 beginning at 3:30 PM PST on Game Night with Scott Marsh and Henry ‘The High Flyer’ Turner before a 5:00 PM PST tip-off from Oklahoma City.

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Schedule

Tuesday, February 28th – Sacramento Kings @ Oklahoma City Thunder – 5:00 PM PST

Friday, March 3rd – Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers – 7:00 PM PST

Saturday, March 4th – Sacramento Kings vs. Minnesota Timberwolves – 7:00 PM PST

Monday, March 6th – Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 7:00 PM PST

Thursday, March 9th – Sacramento Kings vs. New York Knicks – 7:00 PM PST

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Frankie Cartoscelli is the Kings’ beat reporter for sactownsports.com. Follow Frankie on Twitter.

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