Kings defeats Timberwolves 115-104 in Crowder’s debut

Nov 27, 2024, 8:00 PM

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 27: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball agai...

De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball against Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter at Target Center on November 27, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sactown Sports writer

The Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves had similar disappointing starts to the 2024-25 NBA season. Both squads had lost six of their last eight coming into Wednesday night, leaving them narrowly outside the play-in picture.

Mike Conley, who the Wolves were 0-4 without, returned to the lineup while the Kings integrated a new addition and rotation amid injuries.

After officially signing with Sacramento about 3.5 hours before tipoff, veteran forward Jae Crowder started the game guarding Julius Randle. With the recent injury to Trey Lyles and DeMar DeRozan being unavailable due to back soreness, head coach Mike Brown had few remaining wing/forward options on his roster.

Crowder started alongside De’Aaron Fox, Keon Ellis, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis. The Timberwolves first five featured a returning Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert.

That led to an early opportunity for Crowder and an extended run for two-way rookie Isaac Jones, who has continued to take advantage of the circumstances. Their combined efforts and Malik Monk’s returning to his bucket-getting self in his second game back from injury (he missed seven straight with an ankle sprain) led to a level of bench production that has been rare early into Sacramento’s 2024-25 season.

A hot offensive start led by Fox, Sabonis, and Monk allowed their offense to excel in the first half. The Kings led 69-57 thanks to their efforts, offensive rebounding, and capitalizing on their opponent’s turnovers.

Yet, I bet everyone who watched this team closely was concerned about an eventual offensive slump, and sure enough, it came in the third. Not long after allowing a 10-0 run, Sabonis committed his fifth personal foul and went to the bench for the final 5:36 of the quarter.

The Wolves outscored them 29-12 in the frame, leaving Sacramento facing a narrow margin while searching for buckets.

Luckily, the fourth quarter was a different story. Their offense turned electric as the final buzzer drew nearer, improved from the lows of the third, while Minnesota struggled. The NBA is a game of runs, and a 16-4 sequence in Sacramento’s favor left the score tied at 102 with 3:41 remaining. Monk took matters into his own hands for moments, recognizing his team’s need for creation.

Former Clutch Player of the Year Fox also rose to the occasion. The Kentucky duo entirely fueled the Kings’ entire late-game offense. Their run extended until the final buzzer, ending as a 29-6 sprint in the final 7:04 of play. Monk and Fox scored or assisted on all but one of their team’s buckets during that stretch.

Crowder provided an edge, I. Jones filled in where needed, and their star offensive players did their jobs when called upon. The Kings got their first win against Minnesota in their third matchup, leaving Target Center with a 115-104 win.

Sabonis ended the night with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists on 10/17 from the field while playing a significant chunk with five fouls. His efforts shouldn’t be overlooked, but here were a few other notable takeaways from their loss-snapping victory.

From Signing to Starter

As mentioned, Jae Crowder was named a starter the same day he signed a contract with the Kings. With that in mind, not much was expected from the 34-year-old, and he didn’t try to overdo it. He started the game assigned to Randle and gave them another forward-sized body who could play physical defense and confidently take open triples.

Assigned to Randle, he did a respectable job considering the circumstances.

Jae Crowder’s first bucket as a King is a C&S triple to beat the Q1 buzzer. pic.twitter.com/BOfBQoD0vQ

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) November 28, 2024

He also provides a fiery on-court personality that seemed to be lacking before. After it appeared to start in the third quarter, Crowder and Randle were barking back and forth on various occasions. In his first game with Sacramento, he was on the floor during the closing minutes. That might say something about his potential impact on the group moving forward.

After hitting the final shot in regulation, he made sure to let Timberwolves’ fans hear about it.

and a little something to say to Minnesota fans after the last triple pic.twitter.com/rVI8Ybx3NP

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) November 28, 2024

The Jae Crowder-era in Sacramento starts with a win.

TWolves Third Quarter Takeover

A theme during the Kings’ four-game losing streak was an extended stretch of poor offensive production, often extending through an entire quarter. On Wednesday, their 62 first-half points had created positive momentum going into halftime. But, putting together a consistent 48 minutes (or even 40+) proved challenging once again.

Sacramento scored just five points in the first four minutes of the third quarter, which included Minnesota to go on a 10-0 run. Their 12-point halftime advantage quickly became four. Sabonis’ fifth foul came soon after, continuing the unfavorable downpour.

The Timberwolves outscored them 29-12 in the third. The Kings were just 5/18 from the field with zero made triples and repeatedly sent the Wolves to the free-throw line. If anything speaks to how confusingly common these slumps have been, the fact that it was the second time they’ve scored 12 points in a quarter this season should say plenty.

They’ve become prone to letting officiating affect their play, and it was another example of that dynamic.

While the fourth was closer, their poor three-point shooting leaked into them, starting the second half 0/11 from three until Sabonis knocked one down with a little over five minutes left to play.

The Wolves ended the night 24/27 from the free throw line, while Sacramento was just 11/15. It worked out in their favor, but improving their defensive physicality without fouling should remain an emphasis.

Late Heroics from Monk and Fox

The 12-point third quarter didn’t discourage the Kings. If anything, it seemed to ignite Fox and Monk to take matters into their own hands. Sacramento ended the game on a 29-6 run over the final 7:04 of play, with that backcourt scoring or assisting on all but one bucket.

Monk ended the game with 27 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds on 11/16 from the field and 3/5 from three.

MALIK TIES IT FROM DOWNTOWN

pic.twitter.com/0gw83BOegr

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) November 28, 2024

Meanwhile, Fox recorded 26 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds on 10/22 from the field and 3/8 from beyond the arc.

When it mattered most, their creation reigned supreme. Getting into the paint proved beneficial, but they also converted some tough, off-the-dribble looks from further out.

Relying on those late heroics is risky, but having players who can recognize and capitalize on those opportunities is essential to winning tight ball games.

The Continued Emergence of Isaac Jones

Undrafted in 2024, Isaac Jones has already become a two-way player to monitor. When given scarce chances, he’s shown why his combination of hustle, strength, and athleticism at 6’9 can impact the NBA game. He played some power forward alongside Sabonis as well as most of the backup center minutes in the absence of Lyles.

Right after subbing in, the rookie showed no fear attacking four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.

Two-way rookie Isaac Jones getting some run again.

Nice little finish here over Gobert. Kings might end up leaning on him with Lyles down for a bit. pic.twitter.com/wL4kWLI2kX

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) November 28, 2024

another one: pic.twitter.com/DEKQfF7h4Y

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) November 28, 2024

His early energy led to a longer first stint than expected. The Washington State alum scored eight points and four rebounds in those eight minutes. It was his best stretch of the night.

Rookie blunders were apparent, such as turnovers, late rotations, and being attacked in switches, but that’s to be expected. Considering Jones had played just 34 NBA minutes on Wednesday, the positive flashes deserve to be highlighted.