Harrison Barnes on his career performance vs. the Warriors

Jan 26, 2024, 10:37 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2024, 10:31 am

Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Dario Saric #20 of the Golden State Warri...

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

Harrison Barnes has been the fifth option in the Sacramento Kings’ starting lineup this season, but the forward has looked like a top option over the past two games.

One game removed from scoring 32 points during Monday’s win over the Atlanta Hawks, Barnes erupted for a career-high 39 points as the Kings held on for a thrilling 134-133 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night.

Barnes, who has scored 71 points over the past two games–the most over a two-game span during his 11-season career–spoke to the media following the win and shed some light on what goes into performances like Thursday.

To Barnes, it comes from all five guys on the floor who make sacrifices to push Sacramento toward a win.

“I think not being attached as much to the credit of how it boils down every single night, but just doing your job and knowing that the way you have a high-powered offense is all five guys are going to have to make a sacrifice at some point in time,” Barnes said.

“Some nights, you’ll be able to score baskets, but other nights, you may have a lot of screens, may do a lot of cuts, and may make a lot of passes that may not show up in the stat-sheet.”

More on Harrison Barnes vs. the Warriors

Harrison Barnes has been on the receiving end of criticism this year, but the forward has looked like a different player over the past two games.

One game removed from a 32-point effort on Monday against Atlanta, Barnes lit up the Warriors for a career-high 39 points on 14-of-24 shooting from the field and seven-of-12 from beyond the arc over 40 minutes.

Barnes has scored 71 points over the past two games–the most points scored over a two-game span during his 11-year career.

The 31-year-old got it done in various ways on Thursday, scoring in the post and knocking down both contested and uncontested looks from three-point land as Golden State had no answer for Barnes.

It was a balanced effort for ‘The Black Falcon,” as Barnes scored 20 points in the first half and 19 in the second to help close out the win.

As the trade rumors swirl around Barnes, he has looked unfazed over the past two games.

Barnes entered play on Monday having attempted 10+ field goal attempts in one of his past 14 games. Over the past two contests? 20+ field goal attempts on 70 percent shooting from the field and 55 percent shooting from three-point range.

It’s possible that head coach Mike Brown has tweaked his play calling to give Barnes more looks on the offensive end, and it’s worked out very well so far.

Sure, it’s been two games, and there is still a bevy of concerns surrounding whether or not Barnes is the best choice available to maximize Sacramento’s window, but nights like Monday and Thursday show what the forward can do when he’s fully locked in.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento’s seven-game road trip will continue on Saturday when the Kings meet Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Arena.

On November 19th, Domantas Sabonis (32 points) and De’Aaron Fox (30 points) led Sacramento to a 129-113 win over the Mavs as six Kings players finished in double figures.

Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Mavericks coverage, beginning at 4:30 PM PST on Game Night before a 6:00 PM PST tip-off from Dallas.