Domantas Sabonis posts the NBA’s first 30-20 game of the season

Dec 13, 2024, 10:40 AM

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 12: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Sacramento Kings reacts against t...

(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

Domantas Sabonis often makes double-doubles look easy, but the All-NBA center switched into another gear on Thursday night.

Sabonis was the driving force behind the Sacramento Kings’ 111-109 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, a victory that pushed the Beam Team back to the .500 mark following a rough start to the season.

Over 34 minutes of action, the three-time All-Star scored a season-high 32 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the field to go along with 20 rebounds (also a season-high), three assists, and two steals.

The rare 30-20 stat line was the first of any NBA player this season, one that adds to Sabonis’ impressive start to the season that has the reigning All-NBA Third Team big man in the conversation for an All-Star nod in February.

Sabonis’ 30-20 night on 73 percent shooting from the field also made Kings history, marking the first time in the Sacramento era (1985-present) that a player scored 30+ points, grabbed 20+ rebounds, and shot 70 percent or better from the field.

The 28-year-old has posted 22 double-doubles this season (most in the NBA), but Thursday’s performance was a reminder of how special Sabonis has been for a Kings team starting to figure things out on both ends of the floor.

Sacramento (13-13) has won three straight games (four of their last five) to pull themselves out of an early hole that saw them fall four games below the .500 mark.

With Sabonis playing like he has to begin the season (21.3 points, 13.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists), Malik Monk thriving in a starting role, and Keegan Murray beginning to find the bottom of the net from three (40 percent over his past five games), the Kings hope that they are on the cusp of a run that will give them a boost in the Western Conference standings.

More Kings coverage from Sactown Sports

Optimism swirled around the Sacramento Kings after winning three of their last four games before they visited New Orleans to face the (5-20) Pelicans Thursday night.

No team this season has been more affected by injuries than the Pelicans, but there was still plenty of talent to be seen throughout their lineup.

The Kings started their recent typical five of De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis. They were without Trey Lyles (calf), Devin Carter (shoulder), and two-way players Mason Jones and Isaiah Crawford.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans were missing Zion Williamson (hamstring), Brandon Ingram (ankle), Jose Alvarado (hamstring), Javonte Green (ankle), Jordan Hawkins (spine), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (illness), and Karlo Matkovic (back).

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will begin a five-game homestand on Monday night against reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.

Last season, the Kings went 3-1 against Denver, including 2-0 at Golden 1 Center.

Be sure to catch all of the Kings vs. Nuggets action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage starting at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before action tips off at 7:00 PM PT from downtown Sacramento.