SACRAMENTO KINGS

Fox returns to form as Sacramento defeats Brooklyn 110-96

Jan 27, 2025, 7:05 PM

Coming into Brooklyn to face a Nets team without four starters and had lost 11 of their last 12 games, Monday night was an opportunity for the Sacramento Kings to get back into the win column.

Brooklyn had lost six in a row (11 of their last 12), while the Kings were 0-2 in their ongoing road trip.

The Kings came out victorious, defeating the Nets 110-96 on the shoulders of De’Aaron Fox’s 30-point performance, while Domantas Sabonis had 21 points, 22 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Familiar face head coach Jordi Fernandez couldn’t take down his former employer, as Sacramento is back in the win column.

The Nets were dealing with a slew of injuries, while Doug Christie had a fully healthy roster available to him. It was a slow offensive night, but enough to get their first win on their ongoing six-game road trip.

Kings at Nets Injury Report

Sacramento

  • Isaac Jones (G-League) – OUT
  • Colby Jones (G-League) – OUT
  • Isaiah Crawford (G-League) – OUT

Brooklyn

  • Bojan Bogdanovic (left foot) – OUT
  • Cameron Johnson (right ankle) – OUT
  • Ben Simmons (lower back) – OUT
  • Cam Thomas (left hamstring) – OUT
  • De’Anthony Melton (left knee) – OUT
  • Trendon Watford (left hamstring) – OUT
  • Maxwell Lewis (left tibia) – OUT

Sacramento’s Starting FiveDe’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis

Brooklyn’s Starting Five: D’Angelo Russell, Keon Johnson, Jalen Wilson, Noah Clowney, Nix Claxton

Kings at Nets Game Notes

Fox has been dealing with finger injuries on each of his hands, causing subpar offensive production recently, but he found a rhythm early in Barclays Center. The Sacramento guard knocked down two triples within the first four minutes, with the second causing him to surpass 11,000 career points.

With Brooklyn’s slew of injuries, Russell was left to carry most of their offensive responsibility, while guys like Johnson and Claxton were happy to take catch-and-shoot triples. Fox had 10 of the Kings’ first 18 points, giving them a five-point advantage by the first time he sat around the mid-way point of the first quarter.

For the second game in a row, Christie elected to go in the direction of Doug McDermott alongside Keon Ellis early rather than Kevin Huerter. McDermott is shooting 45 percent (31/69) from three this season.

Sacramento was touching the paint and sharing the ball, but missed shots, and a few too many unforced turnovers let the Nets close the quarter on a 15-0 run. The Kings had six turnovers in the frame.

Christie played nine players in the first frame, with his team facing a 30-22 deficient at the end of one.

Fox’s aggression remained, getting into the paint at will. He seemed to be the only one in black who had it rolling early, but then it was DeRozan’s turn.

Murray added a nice transition slam in traffic during Sacramento’s 10-0 sprint to tie the game at 38 with six minutes until halftime. It was the forward’s only points of the first half, sitting early with three personal fouls.

Twenty-nine of Brooklyn’s first-half points came from the free-throw line (17/18) and off of Sacramento’s turnovers (12 points off ten turnovers), going into halftime with a 54-47 lead. 32 of Sacramento’s 47 points came in the paint.

Fox and DeRozan each had 14 points, with their point guard making the only two threes of the half for his side (2/13). Huerter did not see the floor in the first 24 minutes.

Russell led the way for the Nets with 14 points, while Tosan Evbuomwan added 13 on 4/8 shooting.

Murray tallied his fourth foul just seconds into the third, leading to Ellis quickly taking his place. Claxton picked up his fourth personal not long after.

With Fox drawing defensive attention, Monk stepped up.

As the Nets continued to convert triples, Christie had his guys play zone defense, which they’ve found notable success with since the coaching change. It was the same Monday night, with them going on a 12-0 run to take a 63-60 lead with 7:54 left in the third.

Fox continued to hum, getting to the free-throw line for the first time during this road trip. Brooklyn’s continued trips to the charity stripe kept their offense afloat.

The Kings had an 80-78 lead at the end of three, with Fox leading the way with 30 points and four assists on 11/19 from the field, 4/7 from three, and four personal fouls.

It was the Nets’ turn to lose the ball and commit fouls as the Kings managed a 12-0 run to give them a 97-85 lead with 6:06 remaining, and never looking back.

Fox ended the night with 30 points and seven assists, while Sabonis added 21 points, 22 rebounds, and ten assists, his sixth game this season with at least 20 rebounds.

Huerter got his first DNP-CD of the season as the Kings left Barclays Center with a 110-96 victory on Monday night. It’s improved their record to 24-22, including 1-2 on the ongoing six-game road trip.

Upcoming schedule for the 2024-25 Sacramento Kings

  • Wednesday, January 29th – @ Philadelphia 76ers –4:30 PM PT
  • Saturday, February 1st – @ Oklahoma City Thunder – 5:00 PM PT
  • Monday, February 3rd – @ Minnesota Timberwolves – 5:00 PM PT
  • Thursday, February 6th – @ Portland Trail Blazers – 7:00 PM PT
  • Saturday, February 8th – vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 7:00 PM PT

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