De’Aaron Fox: ‘You don’t want to become numb to what [Sabonis] is doing’

Feb 23, 2024, 7:28 AM | Updated: 7:34 am

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Tre Jones #33 of the San Antonio Spurs drives on Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings in the first quarter at Golden 1 Center on February 22, 2024 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

BY JOSEPH JAROSZ

Former Editor

Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis was questionable Thursday night against the Spurs. But he wasn’t going to let an illness stop him from competing.

By the time the beam was lit, Sabonis logged 22 points (11-of-15 shooting) to go along with 11 rebounds and 11 assists over 33 minutes.

And Coach Mike Brown said the Kings needed every one of those points and rebounds that Domas recorded Thursday night in their a 127-122 win in front of a sellout Golden 1 Center.

After recording his 38th consecutive double-double, the longest streak since Kevin Love in 2011, and 19th triple-double of the season, his teammates and coach took turns lauding his performance and leadership.

“You don’t want to become numb to what he is doing,” Kings guard De’Aaron Fox said of Sabonis after the game. “That’s not normal. It’s only been done a few times in this game and the fact that he is available every night is big for us because he plays so hard, he plays so physical. He could easily be one of those guys that takes a few nights off, but he came in today, and you couldn’t get him to not play today. He was a game-time decision, but he wasn’t not going to play. That’s leading by example.”

Fox went on to say Sabonis should be considered an MVP-candidate at the end of the year. The Kings center is averaging a career-best in rebounds (13.2) and assists (8.4) while adding 20.2 points per game.

"You don't want to become numb to what he is doing."

De'Aaron on making sure the Kings capitalize on Domas' triple- and double-double performances pic.twitter.com/6bb0yNOHYZ

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 23, 2024

Kevin Huerter echoed those remarks, calling the 27-year-old center a gladiator.

“He gets beat up. I wasn’t sure if he was going to play today. We hadn’t seen him the last couple of days, and he showed up here ready to play,” Huerter said after the game.

When a photo tells the story of every Domantas Sabonis game ever. 🤕 pic.twitter.com/gITJ13dLJ1

— Matt George (@MattGeorgeSAC) February 23, 2024

What’s next for Domantas Sabonis and the Sacramento Kings?

Sacramento will board a short flight to Los Angeles this weekend as they will play the first game of a road home-back-to-back against the Clippers at crypto.com Arena.

The Clippers have had the Kings’ number this season, as Los Angeles has secured the first two regular-season matchups by an average of 17 points per contest.

Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Clippers coverage, beginning at 5:00 PM PST on Game Night before a 6:30 PM PST tip-off from downtown Los Angeles.