DeRozan, Fox lead Kings to clutch 127-118 OT win in Phoenix

Nov 10, 2024, 7:57 PM | Updated: 7:58 pm

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 13: Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix Suns posts up on De'Aaron Fox #5 of...

Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix Suns posts up on De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half at Footprint Center on February 13, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sactown Sports writer

Fresh off their worst shooting performance in over two decades, the Sacramento Kings needed to shake off the dust heading into Footprint Center to take on the 8-1 Phoenix Suns.

Despite Malik Monk going down early after spraining in his ankle, continuous foul trouble, and remaining subpar shooting, the Kings snuck away from the Arizona desert with a 127-118 victory largely.

DeMar DeRozan and De’Aaron Fox reminded everyone of their clutch genes. Keegan Murray recorded his fifth double-double of the season.

With the Spurs waiting for tomorrow’s matchup in San Antonio, the Kings started their road back-to-back with by adding a tally to the win column.

Kings at Suns Game Notes

The Western Conference leaders played their first game without Kevin Durant, who scored 27.6 points per game.

Rookie Ryan Dunn started in his place alongside Tyus Jones, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Jusuf Nurkic.

Sacramento head coach Mike Brown went with his typical grouping of De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis.

It looked like their 3/26 three-point performances against the Clippers would be put in the rearview early, largely thanks to Kevin Huerter.

By the end of the first frame, they made three triples on eight attempts, with Huerter making his first two attempts.

But Phoenix came into the night top ten in three-point attempts and percentage and lived up to that reputation.

The high-scoring back-and-forth opening quarter ended with the Suns owning a 36-31 lead.

Then, Sabonis checked out, again leading to their offense sputtering.

Typically, that’s when Malik Monk gets the freedom to work, but the reigning Sixth Man of the Year runner-up rolled his ankle chasing through a screen early in the second.

The Kings later announced that the guard could not return to action with a right ankle injury.

So, Doug McDermott played (non-garbage time) minutes for the first time in four games to strengthen that stint and deepen their shallow rotation.

DeRozan created many good looks by isolating the rookie Dunn, but they weren’t falling.

It didn’t help. The Kings went nearly three minutes without a bucket. Fortunately for them, their opposition also slowed down without Booker.

Huerter got going again, ending the first half with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals on 4/6 from three.

Sacramento led 60-53 at the half.

As a team, they were 7/22 from three, while Phoenix went 10/31, largely thanks to Booker (11 points), Jones (11), and Beal (10).

DeRozan continued to struggle to convert his typical mid-range looks. Fox, playing through a left-hand injury, also struggled to remain efficient.

Meanwhile, the Suns showed why the three-ball is a strength of theirs.

Huerter kept it rolling but found himself in foul trouble not long into the third, forcing Coach Brown’s hand.

DeMar with the no-look dish to Red Velvet 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/kkiZQDKqSD

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) November 11, 2024

His fifth came quickly after resting to close the third and re-entering in the final frame. That circumstance and no Monk led to a few minutes for Jordan McLaughlin.

They did enough to keep their head above water, but Booker found mismatches and started to catch a rhythm.

Again, the moment came when Sabonis needed to rest. Once again, DeRozan looked to get his while backup center Trey Lyles came alive.

Since missing training camp and preseason with a groin injury, he’s not quite looked himself early in the 24-25 season.

But, an and-one and subsequent made three felt big.

As the clutch neared, the score made for an intriguing ending. With just two minutes remaining, the hometown Suns had a one-point lead (107-106).

It was Beal and Booker vs. Fox and DeRozan. Who would make and create more shots for their side?

Well, DeRozan scored 15 points in the fourth. As he got the ball with seconds remaining down one, the future Hall of Famer missed.

Luckily, Murray was there for the putback that increased his tally to 14 points and 13 rebounds (his fifth double-double) to secure a one-point lead with 3.2 seconds left.

KEEGAN FOR THE LEAD 😱 pic.twitter.com/XBh0CUIBs5

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) November 11, 2024

The officials blew a late whistle before the inbound, which rewarded the Suns with one free throw. Booker knocked that down, then missed the potential game-winner.

Off to overtime.

DeRozan continued to show why he’s one of the league’s most clutch players with eight points. Fox, the inaugural Clutch Player of the Year, also added eight players in overtime.

Murray continued to crash the boards aggressively.

Sacramento kept fouling, nearly allowing Phoenix to stick around, but tallying 16 points in the five overtime minutes was too much to keep up with, leading to a 127-118 victory.

There is not much time to celebrate, though, as it’s off to San Antonio to face off against old friend Harrison Barnes tomorrow afternoon.

Kings at Suns Final Stats

Sacramento:

Field Goal Percentage: 50/102 (49.0%)
Three-Point Percentage: 11/37 (29.7%)
Free-Throw Percentage: 16/19 (84.2%)
Points off Turnovers: 11 points off 12 Phoenix turnovers
DeMar DeRozan: 34 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds on 14/25 FG, 1/1 3P, 5/6 FT — 21 points in the fourth quarter and overtime
De’Aaron Fox: 20 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists on 10/23 FG, 0/6 3P, 1/1 FT
Domantas Sabonis: 20 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists on 9/14 FG, 0/3 3P, 2/3 FT

Toronto: