Kings offensive excellence pushes them to 140-113 win over Spurs

Dec 6, 2024, 7:37 PM | Updated: Dec 7, 2024, 1:10 pm

SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 6: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball during the...

DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on December 6, 2024 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)

(Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sactown Sports writer

Having lost both previous matchups against the Spurs, the Sacramento Kings had a chance to start leveling the score. Getting outscored by a laughable margin from three in the games prior, the tables turned Friday night in San Antonio.

Sacramento’s three-point shooting returned to form, converting 16 of their 34 triples in their convincing 140-113 win. It was their new season-high for points in a game.

Victor Wembanyama — who had 34 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists on 11/17 from the field and 5/9 from three against the Kings less than a week ago — was unavailable with lower back soreness. San Antonio was also without Devin Vassell (right foot) and Tre Jones (left shoulder).

Meanwhile, the Kings were missing Trey Lyles (right calf) and rookie Devin Carter (left shoulder).

Malik Monk started for the fourth straight game alongside De’Aaron Fox, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis.

The Spurs went with Chris Paul, Stephon Castle, Julian Champaigne, Harrison Barnes, and Zach Collins.

With both teams sitting just outside the Western Conference play-in, substantial seeding implications were coming into the night. Nobody wants to lose three games to the same team.

Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray were large contributors, while the usuals maintained productivity in their elite offensive showcase.

Kings at Spurs Game Notes

Despite being winless against the Spurs this season, the Kings came out flat Friday night in San Antonio. They allowed Champagnie to get a few good looks from three early, and he made them pay. Next thing they knew, he had recorded the first 11 points for his team.

Failing to secure defensive rebounds and transition defense, an area where they usually excel left the Kings facing a 13-point deficit in the opening frame. As that happened, Collins hit Sabonis in the face, sending the center to the locker room. He returned, ready for action, with a chipped tooth a few minutes later.

He and Fox recognized the moment and repeatedly found ways to score out of their two-man action with a side cleared out. They went on a 12-1 run to end the first and regain composure as both sides were tied at 33.

Collins was called for his third personal foul not long into the second. Unhappy with the call, his choice words towards the official earned a technical while headed to the bench. He didn’t stop there. Collins was ejected and, as Sacramento play-by-play announcer Mark Jones put it, “told the official he’s number one” after being sent off.

In what might be some sort of record (just guessing), it marks the third straight game where one (or more) of Sacramento’s opponents were ejected. Alperen Sengun and coach Ime Udoka against Houston. Ja Morant in Memphis Thursday, then Collins the following night.

As Wembanyama’s replacement, the Spurs were now forced to play small with Charles Bassey and Sandro Mamukelashvili. The score was tied at 40 with a little over nine minutes left in the half, but Sacramento got rolling.

Keon Ellis saw notable minutes in the last few games for the first time. When asked about his lack of run recently in pregame, Coach Mike Brown referenced their need for size and that he was considering playing DeRozan at the four more often to get Ellis some run alongside Huerter rather than in his place.

Asked Kings coach Mike Brown why Keon Ellis hasn’t been getting much playing time given the team’s lack of bench production recently. He indicates he prefers Kevin Huerter and DeMar DeRozan at the four when they play smaller. His answer: pic.twitter.com/mGSPSbRQyT

— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) December 6, 2024

That was seen for a few stretches Friday night in San Antonio. With that comes better shooting, at least it should. They’ve struggled to shoot a surprising amount this season, but shots fell in the first half. Sacramento went 7/17 with Huerter and Monk knocking down a pair, while Murray, Fox, and Ellis each contributed one.

Active hands and proper physicality upped their defensive pressure, causing their opposition to convert just nine of their 24 field goals in the second, 38 percent.

Outscoring the Spurs 29-19 from the point of the ejection, the Kings held a 69-59 lead at halftime on 56.1 percent from the field and 16/17 from the free-throw line.

DeRozan and Fox continued rolling while Champaigne tried to maintain his hot streak in the third.

Ridiculous drive and and-one finish for De’Aaron Fox pic.twitter.com/VM0YQalGqL

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) December 7, 2024

DeRozan found his way to his mid-range spots and the free-throw line. Monk thrived in a two-man game with Sabonis while creating his looks. Forcing the Spurs into turnovers and scoring in transition on the other end, Sacramento put together a 16-2 run, extending their lead to 93-76 with four minutes left in the third.

Their offensive identity of pace and space, which has been rare this season, resurfaced. They went into the final frame with a 100-86 lead, and they didn’t slow down.

Huerter was hitting triples off the catch and off movement behind dribble-handoffs — a welcome sight considering his start to the 24-25 season.

Murray was aggressive in hitting the paint and using his size advantage to finish over smaller opposition. It’s a wonder what making three-pointers can do for a team’s offense.

Huerter (4/4) and Murray (3/5) were combined 7/9 from three.

Since the start of the Mike Brown era (2022-23 season), the Sacramento Kings are 43-15 (.741) when shooting 40% or better from three-point range.

This season: 5-1 (only loss: 109-108 to ATL)

Good things happen when the triples fall.

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) December 7, 2024

Sacramento ended the game with a season-high 140 points, securing a 27-point victory and their first in three showings against San Antonio.

Now, they’ll look to win their second consecutive game for just the third time this season as the Utah Jazz come to Golden 1 Center on Sunday, December 8th.