Fox, Bagley Lead Kings To Second-Straight Win
Dec 26, 2020, 9:45 PM | Updated: 10:18 pm
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
De’Aaron Fox shines, Marvin Bagley III picks up another double-double in win against Phoenix
Through two games of the very young season, the Sacramento Kings are looking like a team that deserves more respect.
After defeating the Phoenix Suns by a final of 106-103 on Saturday night at Golden 1 Center, the Kings have improved to 2-0 for the first time since the 2003-04 season.
With the win, Sacramento also snapped a six-game home opening night losing streak, winning their opener at home for the first time since the 2013-14 season.
It was a back-and-forth affair on Saturday night, with the game coming down to the closing minutes against a Suns team that many are considering a playoff team.
Kings center Richaun Holmes, who missed the end of Wednesday’s opener due to fouling out, made his presence known late during Saturday’s win.
Holmes provided a massive boost with his offensive rebounds, converting a a late and-one opportunity and then gaining possession on another offensive rebound that would end with two made free-throws to give the Kings a four-point lead with 49 seconds remaining.
Phoenix wouldn’t be able to close the gap, giving Sacramento the win on the first night of a back-to-back.
Holmes finished with 11 points and nine rebounds over 24 minutes of action.
De’Aaron Fox had an incredible game against Phoenix, scoring 24 points to go along with five rebounds and seven assists. Fox, who struggled with his three-point shot during the preseason, converted three of his seven long-range attempts in the win.
After a double-double effort against Denver (in his first game since January of last season), Marvin Bagley III put forward another strong performance on Saturday night.
Bagley scored 13 points to go along with a team-high 11 rebounds over just 20 minutes, the least amount of minutes played tonight by a Kings starter.
Watching the 21-year-old play with the aggressiveness and tenacity that placed him atop of the 2018 draft class is very positive to see, with Bagley showing that he still has plenty to show the league this season.
Newly-signed forward Glenn Robinson III made his Kings debut on Saturday, scoring eight points and grabbing three rebounds over 15 minutes–including this exciting alley-oop lob from Tyrese Haliburton.
Kings forward Harrison Barnes spoke highly of Robinson’s efforts postgame, praising Robinson for being ready to go against the Suns after not playing in the season opener in Denver.
Barnes scored 11 points and collected 10 rebounds in the win for Sacramento.
Nemanja Bjelica, who is still getting used to his bench role, was a significant contributor during the win. Bjelica scored 12 points on five-of-six shooting from the field over 15 minutes of action.
Rookie guard Tyrese Haliburton quietly had an efficient night for Sacramento, scoring six points and dishing five assists over 26 minutes.
Hassan Whiteside swatted two shots and nearly had a double-double of his own, scoring eight points to go along with eight rebounds.
Future Hall of Fame guard Chris Paul looked like his usual self on Saturday night, finishing with 22 points and 12 assists. Devin Booker was the leading scorer for Phoenix, dropping 26 points in a losing effort.
Beating teams like Denver and Phoenix this early in the season shouldn’t warrant a clear-cut, knee-jerk reaction. However, these are teams that should be in the postseason.
Sacramento has looked good against both.
Not many people are expecting much from this Kings team, but if they keep picking up wins like Saturday’s against Phoenix, other teams will have no choice but to be on notice when facing the Sacramento Kings.
Coming Up
Call it deja vu or groundhog day.
The Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns will run it back again on Sunday night at Golden 1 Center.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA is attempting to limit travel this season, meaning that the Suns will be taking care of both road games against the Kings in one stop.
You can find pregame coverage here on Sports 1140 KHTK starting at 5:30pm PST followed by tip-off at 6:00pm PST.
