Monk, DeRozan propel Sacramento to 116-114 win over TWolves

Feb 3, 2025, 7:31 PM

Sactown Sports writer

Playing in their first game since trading De’Aaron Fox, the Sacramento Kings came out of Minnesota with a 116-114 win over the Timberwolves. It was an offensive showdown for the first three quarters before turning into a slugfest late.

Keegan Murray had 17 of his 19 points in the first quarter, but as he slowed down, Malik Monk (26 points, eight rebounds, five assists) and DeMar DeRozan picked up the slack. Dealing with a tight game late, they faced more challenging defensive coverages without Fox (or Zach LaVine) on the floor.

It didn’t matter, as DeRozan scored 21 of his 33 points in the second half, including nine in the fourth quarter.

Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels kept Minnesota involved, while Anthony Edwards struggled against the wide variety of defensive coverages interim head coach Doug Christie threw his way.

Powering through all the recent changes, the Kings ended their six-game road trip with a win in Target Center. It propels them back above .500 (25-24)

LaVine is expected to join the team for Wednesday night as they host the Orlando Magic Wednesday night.

Kings at Minnesota Injury Report

Sacramento

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

Minnesota

Donte DiVincenzo (left great toe) – OUT
Julius Randle (right groin) – OUT
Tristen Newton (G-League) – OUT

Sacramento’s Starting Five: Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis

Minnesota’s Starting Five: Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, Rudy Gobert

Kings at Timberwolves Game Notes

Without Fox, there were more shots to go around. Monk was aggressive as the primary point guard, but Murray stole the show early. Making the first two field goals of the night set the tone for a scorching start from the forward — he started 5/5.

By the end of the first quarter, Murray had 17 points on 6/9 from the field and 2/3 from three, with his lone miss from distance coming on a last-second heave.

Keegan Murray was cooking in the 1Q 🔥

17 PTS
3 REB
1 AST
6/9 FG
2/3 3PT
12 MIN

That was the most points that Murray has scored in a single period this season.

Tied for the second-highest scoring quarter of his career.

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) February 4, 2025

But Minnesota showed the ability to keep up. Reid caught similarly fire, too. The Reigning Sixth Man of the Year (Monk was second in voting) had 16 points on 6/7 FG and 4/5 3P at the end of one.

With the buckets pouring in Target Center, the Kings narrowly led (38-36) after the first 12 minutes of action. Sacramento was 5/9 from three compared to Minnesota’s 6/11.

Post-trade unavailabilities led to bench-heavy second-units where Monk was asked to do a lot, the role Fox previously filled. Two-way rookie Isaac Jones shined in flashes with his hustle, fearlessness, and athleticism around the rim and in the open court.

Meanwhile, the Timbweovles continued to execute with ease. It felt reminiscent of their last game, allowing Oklahoma City to score 144 points, but this time, the Kings were getting buckets and maintaining a narrow lead.

Murray didn’t score in the second, but DeRozan and Ellis got in on the action while McDaniels and Gobert rallied their side. Sacramento’s scoring continued as the home squad started to slow down from beyond the arc.

Going into halftime, the Kings held a 67-59 advantage while shooting 53.1 percent (26/49) from the field and 46.7 percent (7/15) from three. Scoring at that rate is hard for any team to keep up with.

Quickly into third-quarter action, Sabonis picked up his third and fourth foul at the 9:23 mark of the third, forcing him to sit. Jones took his place, but nobody on Sacramento’s roster can replace Sabonis’ playmaking and screening.

The Timberwolves went cold from three, allowing Sacramento to build a 12-point lead, but their bench unit couldn’t maintain that momentum. Trey Lyles and Jones had stellar individual moments, but that lineup was when Fox’s absence was most notable.

The opposition’s three-point barrage returned after a cold stretch that lasted about 12 minutes of game time. A quick 7-0 run, primarily due to turnovers, left a close one heading into the final 12 minutes.

DeRozan had 12 points in the frame, while Monk added seven as the Kings led 88-86 with a quarter remaining. The once offensive-centered game turned into a slugfest on a dime.

Ellis and McDaniels were getting deflections and forcing turnovers. DeRozan, Monk, Edwards, and Reid tried to convert tough buckets with mixed results.

Malik Monk knocks down a tough bank shot over Jaden McDaniels early in the clutch.

Getting the opponent’s toughest defender as this game winds down. pic.twitter.com/nnK8Pnm69o

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) February 4, 2025

But DeRozan took control of the final moments, getting crucial conversions as time passed. The six-time All-Star had 21 of his 33 points in the second half, including nine in the fourth quarter.

Yeah… 21 points in the second half for DeRozan. https://t.co/F5l55KhqEK pic.twitter.com/XQmJAyBEWW

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) February 4, 2025

Minnesota made tough shots to keep it tense, but between DeRozan’s buckets and Monk knocking down four consecutive clutch free-throws, the Kings ended their six-game road trip with a 116-114 win over the Timberwolves in Target Center.

DeRozan led the way with 33 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. Malik Monk knocked down timely buckets en route to 26 points, five assists, and eight rebounds. And, of course, Sabonis had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Sacramento’s 41.7 percent three-point shooting (10/24) stole the show, and their defense locked in late to light the beam back in California’s capital.

Zach LaVine, the primary acquisition in Sunday’s Fox trade, is expected to join Sacramento for their next game, as they host the Orlando Magic Wednesday night.