DeRozan’s 42-point performance leads Kings to 129-128 OT win in Dallas

DeMar DeRozan put up a season-high 42 points, including the game-winning floater, as the Kings leave Dallas with a 129-128 overtime victory.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Feb 10, 2025, 8:25 PM Updated: 9:42 pm

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It was the DeMar DeRozan show Monday night in the American Airlines Center, as his game-winner gave the Sacramento Kings a 129-128 overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks.

The six-time All-Star recorded a season-high 42 points on 15/22 from the field, including 4/6 from three, seven rebounds and three assists.

Committing 20 turnovers that led to 36 Dallas points was overcome by DeRozan’s heroic efforts.

Sacramento (27-26) starts their three-game road trip with a win in Dallas (28-26), as just two remain on the schedule before All-Star Weekend begins on Friday, February 13th.

Kings at Dallas Injury Report

Sacramento

Devin Carter (G-League) – OUT
Isaiah Crawford (G-League) – OUT

Dallas

Anthony Davis (left adductor) – OUT
Dereck Lively (right ankle) – OUT
PJ Washington (right ankle) – OUT
Caleb Martin (right hip) – OUT
Dwight Powell (right hip) – OUT

Sacramento’s Starting Five: Malik Monk, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis

Dallas’ Starting Five: Kyrie Irving, Dante Exum, Klay Thompson, Kessler Edwards, Daniel Gafford

Kings at Mavericks Game Notes

Not far removed from the NBA trade deadline that reworked Sacramento’s roster, they hoped to get LaVine into a rhythm Monday night after his slow start in royal purple.

Their ball movement was crisp early, assisting on five of their first seven made field goals. LaVine and DeRozan knocked some down, while Monk had three of those dimes — he’s continuing to adjust to being the primary point guard.

Still trying to find his ideal rotation after the in-season roster changes, Christie continues to test his rotation. Ellis was the first substitution as usual, but he came in for Monk this time.

The defensive guard helps provide some perimeter containment but had a tough assignment in Irving.

Jonas Valanciunas checked into the game as the scoreboard read 23-22 with 2:57 remaining in the first. It didn’t take the big man long to secure two offensive rebounds, converting both into second-chance points.

Defense remained an issue for the Kings, though, conceding 35 points in the opening frame while posting 27 of their own. A 10-0 Dallas run, led by Spencer Dinwiddie, helped end that opening frame.

But, it’s all about scoring more than the opposition and Sacramento showed the ability to put the ball in the basket efficiently. DeRozan was feeling it from all over the floor.

LaVine attacked the basket, getting feeds from Monk and Sabonis and finishing with force.

Ridiculous outlet pass from Domantas Sabonis, finding new teammate Zach LaVine in transition.

LaVine threw it down over Kessler Edwards. Wanted the and-one. pic.twitter.com/kKi4OZR3KS

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) February 11, 2025

The first half defined back-and-forth action, with the lead changing every few minutes. Turnovers were Sacramento’s Achilles heel, however, with 12 turnovers leading to 20 Dallas points by the midway point.

DeRozan’s 21 points, 8/9 FG and 3/3 3P, helped tie the game at 61-61 going into halftime. Dinwiddie led the Mavericks with 16 points on 6/8 shooting.

After not attempting a field goal in the first half, Murray got two easy looks to start the third quarter. The third-year forward made an impact on both ends of the floor, with some steals and blocks to show for it as well.

His efforts helped the Kings jump out to a narrow 81-73 advantage with roughly six minutes remaining in the third.

Unfortunately, the turnovers kept Dallas close, enabling them to go onto a 9-0 run and it didn’t slow down there.

With 16 turnovers in the first three quarters (five from LaVine), the Mavericks owned a 93-87 lead with 12 minutes remaining. Murray had 11 points on 5/9 shooting in the third after not attempting a shot in the first half.

A 7-2 run in Dallas’ favor extended their advantage to eight points. Being heavily outrebounded in the second half, Christie elected to play Valanciunas alongside Sabonis for the first time since acquiring the big from the Washington Wizards less than a week ago.

Countering that decision, Jason Kidd elected to go small with Irving/Dinwiddie/Christie/Prosper/Marshall.

Sacramento put together a 9-0 run with that jumbo lineup, cutting the once 12-point deficit to two.

As clutch time neared, DeRozan recognized the moment. It had been a quiet second half for the six-time All-Star, but he wouldn’t go down easy with an 11-point flurry.

His efforts alongside the two bigs helped Sacramento temporarily retake the lead with less than five minutes remaining.

Between DeRozan and Irving, it was a late-game battle of two of the NBA’s most clutch players. Their back-and-forth buckets left the game tied at 116 as regulation came to and end — onto overtime.

Andddd DeMar DeRozan ties the game with an iso middy over Max Christie.

He’s up to a season-high 38 points. https://t.co/OBgZgfwgfT pic.twitter.com/6AobtJOHgB

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) February 11, 2025

Five more minutes were added as the Kings rolled out a lineup of Monk/Ellis/LaVine/DeRozan/Sabonis.

Monk rallied nine straight before the ball ended up back in DeRozan’s hands more often than not — and for good reason.

Both sides were knocking down tough looks after timeouts, but the Kings got the last laugh as DeRozan pumped faked, stepped through two defenders, and hit a game-winning floater to secure a 129-128 victory.

What a ridiculous game-winner from DeMar DeRozan after the step-through.

He ends the night with a season-high 42 points on 15/22 as the Kings secure a 129-128 OT win in Dallas. pic.twitter.com/YwgtFNYFq2

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) February 11, 2025

He ended the night with a season-high 42 points on 15/22 from the field, seven rebounds, and three assists.

His heroics helped the Kings overcome their 20 turnovers, leading to 36 Dallas points, as they secured their first win of a three-game road trip that takes Sacramento up to this weekend’s All-Star break.