No Fox, No Problem: Kings win fourth-straight behind Barnes’ big night

With De’Aaron Fox sidelined due to left wrist soreness, the Sacramento Kings needed someone to step up on Tuesday night in Oklahoma City.

‘The Black Falcon’ soared in when his team needed him most.

Harrison Barnes scored 29 points–the veteran’s largest scoring output since January 9th–as the Kings were able to hold off a late charge by the Thunder and claim a 123-117 win to improve to 4-0 since returning from the All-Star break.

Sacramento (36-25) continues to win games at a crucial point of the season as they eye home-court advantage as a top-four seed in the Western Conference standings. The Kings (third seed in the West) hold a four-game lead over the fifth-seed Los Angeles Clippers with 21 games remaining in the regular season.

Winning without Fox is noteworthy for Sacramento, as they entered play on Tuesday with a 1-4 record without the star guard. Even without the frontrunner for this season’s NBA Clutch Award, the Kings had enough in the tank to finish the road trip strong.

Harrison Barnes is BALLING 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/MmivDMjwMW

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) March 1, 2023

If you’re watching the Sacramento Kings, you’d be right to expect a high-scoring start to each game.

The Kings jumped out to a 16-6 lead during the opening minutes of Tuesday’s game, but the Thunder battled back to trim the deficit to six points heading into the second quarter. Sacramento scored 44 points during the first–the team’s second-highest-scoring first period of the season.

Of course, the Kings’ defense reared its ugly head by allowing Oklahoma City to score 38 points on 54 percent shooting in the first, and things didn’t get any better in the second.

The Thunder outscored Sacramento 28-27 in the second quarter to cut into the Kings’ once-16-point lead, as Lu Dort’s 11-point period was the driving force behind the comeback effort.

Sacramento opened up the second half with a 71-66 lead, but much like Sunday night’s game, separation was needed to create a sense of comfortability.

Domas with some jelly?? 🍇 pic.twitter.com/4bCyP9JDdJ

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) March 1, 2023

Domantas Sabonis did his part in attacking the OKC defense during the first half (17 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists), but the Kings would need someone else to step up and aid the three-time All-Star.

Kevin Huerter answered the bell as ‘Red Velvet’ scored 10 points during the third quarter. With Huerter making things happen on offense and fellow supporting cast members stepping up, Sacramento went on a 13-0 run to take its largest lead at 89-72.

Then, that infamous Kings defense said ‘hello’ once again.

Oklahoma City ended the third on a 15-4 run to trim the deficit to 93-97 entering the fourth, meaning that Sacramento would need to bank on another strong closing effort if they were to board its plane home on a winning note.

With De’Aaron ‘Mr. Fourth Quarter’ Fox sidelined, the Kings needed a closer on Tuesday night. Harrison Barnes was ready for that challenge.

After scoring eight points in the third, Barnes scored eight more of his 27 points during the fourth quarter–including a massive triple with 5:47 to go that pushed Sacramento’s lead to 10–to help push the Kings to another road win.

Davion Mitchell, who has received plenty of criticism this season for his failure to produce in expanded opportunities, knocked down the game-sealing jumper with 55 seconds to go as the defensive guard scored 15 points (six-of-10 shooting) while also taking home the Defensive Player of the Game honors.

Davion drilled a late 3-pointer to the tune of "Light the Beam" chants in OKC 🤩 pic.twitter.com/CbcglzrTTV

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) March 1, 2023

Mitchell and Barnes’ contributions complemented another dominant performance from Domantas Sabonis, who racked up his league-leading 49th double-double of the season and narrowly missed his eighth triple-double.

Sabonis scored 23 points on eight-of-10 shooting while pulling down 13 boards and handing out nine assists over 34 minutes.

Sacramento’s starters came up big during the win during a quiet night from the bench, as Keegan Murray posted his fourth double-double of the season (13 points, ten rebounds) while Kevin Huerter got his offense going with his first 20-point outing since January 25th.

Fox, who was ruled out shortly before tip-off, needed a night off after seven-straight 30+ point performances that saw the speedy guard log just under 38 minutes per game.

The fact that the Kings were able to pick up a W without their franchise guard is another win on its own, and now the well-rested Fox will have a chance to return on Friday night when Sacramento plays a massive game against the fifth-seed Los Angeles Clippers.

Wins without Fox are one thing, but the fact that this team continues to win on the road is a massive factor in its place in the standings. Sacramento is now 18-13 away from Golden 1 Center–the best road record in the West and the franchise’s most road wins since the 2004-05 season.

Winning on the road. That’s what playoff teams do, and the Sacramento Kings look like a team primed for a postseason run.

Keegan's too smooth 😏 pic.twitter.com/nSlvpWLhV8

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) March 1, 2023

Murray Closing In On Mitchell

Keegan Murray (147 made three-point field goals) is just 41 three-pointers away from setting a new NBA rookie three-point record, as the forward needs to average just under two made triples during the final 21 games to break Donovan Mitchell’s record of 187.

Murray is averaging 2.5 made three-point field goals per game this season, meaning there is a good chance that the Iowa product will set a new mark if he remains on the floor.

Injury Updates

De’Aaron Fox (left wrist soreness) missed his sixth game of the season on Tuesday night. The All-Star guard is considered day-to-day.

Fox had a precautionary MRI on his wrist that found no damage, per The Sacramento Bee’s Chris Biderman. Sacramento is optimistic that the guard can return sooner than later.

Next Gam

Sacramento will begin a four-game home stand on Friday night when they face the Los Angeles Clippers at Golden 1 Center.

Exactly one week after putting on a show in what was the second-highest-scoring game in NBA history, these two Pacific Division foes will meet for the final time as the Kings will look to secure the season series with a win.

Be sure to get all of your Kings vs. Thunder coverage right here on Sactown Sports 1140 beginning at 5:30 PM PST on Game Night with Scott Marsh and Henry ‘The High Flyer’ Turner before a 7:00 PM PST tip-off from downtown Sacramento.

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Schedule

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

Saturday, March 11th – Sacramento Kings @ Phoenix Suns – 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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