Booker, Suns hand Kings loss before heading into All-Star break
Feb 14, 2023, 9:02 PM | Updated: Feb 15, 2023, 10:11 am
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The All-Star break has arrived at a good time for the Sacramento Kings.
Sacramento fell victim to the new-look Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night as Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Chris Paul dominated the Kings in the form of a 120-109 win at the Footprint Center.
Even without Kevin Durant, Phoenix dominated the Kings’ noted unimpressive defense by pummeling them in the paint (62-40) and on the glass (33-23).
The loss is costly for Sacramento (32-25), as the Suns (32-27) pulled themselves to within one game of the Kings in the Western Conference standings’ third spot.
Swipa no swiping! 🦊 pic.twitter.com/xcqxU1g2oT
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 15, 2023
Sacramento finally broke through from three-point range on Tuesday night, but it was the team’s scoring in and around the paint that doomed them in Phoenix.
The Kings finished the game 14-of-38 (37%) from beyond the arc, but the Suns controlled the paint thanks to a massive performance from former first-overall pick Deandre Ayton (29 points on 13-of-17 shooting). Devin Booker had been struggling in his two appearances since returning from a groin injury, but a matchup against Sacramento’s defense was just what the doctor ordered for the multi-time All-Star.
Booker finished the game with 32 points on 13-of-20 shooting over just 29 minutes, marking the guard’s fourth game with 30+ points against the Kings over his last five tries. Chris Paul complimented his backcourt partner with a season-high 19 assists to go along with 17 points.
Sacramento’s defense struggled to control the paint and get consistent stops, and that was what did them in on Tuesday.
De’Aaron Fox scored 35 points on 12-of-22 shooting–the All-Star’s fourth-straight game with 30+ points, tying his career-high in consecutive games with 30+ points. The speedy guard knocked down four of his seven three-point field goal attempts as he ended his pre-All-Star portion of the season on a high note.
Speaking of All-Stars, Domantas Sabonis finished the night with 24 points (seven-of-12 shooting), 15 rebounds, and seven assists for his league-leading 45th double-double of the season. The big man knocked down all ten of his attempts at the free-throw line, marking the third time in his career that he has made ten or more free throws at a 100 percent rate.
Domas steal leads to a TD three 🤝 pic.twitter.com/16LT6TapYB
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 15, 2023
Kevin Huerter turned in his second-straight game with three made three-point field goals or more as ‘Red Velvet’ went four-for-nine from beyond the arc and finished the night with 18 points.
The 24-year-old has turned the corner from beyond the arc after struggling during Sacramento’s recent seven-game road trip, but Huerter is finding his form just in time for Saturday’s 3-Point Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend.
Keegan Murray dished out a career-high six assists during the loss while logging just 21 minutes of playing time.
The loss to Phoenix stings, no doubt about it–but the Kings have a lot to be proud of heading into the All-Star break.
Not only is Sacramento sitting in third place in the West, but they have already surpassed last season’s win total (30) and surpassed last season’s road win total (14). Fox and Sabonis will be representing the Kings during Sunday’s NBA All-Star game. Murray is one of the league’s top rookies.
Sacramento is in a good spot heading into the break, and now that the team will have nine days to rest up, it will give healing players like Malik Monk or overworked stars like Fox and Sabonis some time to prepare for a massive final stretch of the season.
Come next Thursday night when the Portland Trail Blazers come to town, the Kings will begin a two-month stretch of basketball where every game will hold importance.
Next Up
There will be a heavy Sacramento Kings presence at All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City this weekend.
De’Aaron Fox (All-Star), Domantas Sabonis (All-Star), Keegan Murray (Rising Stars Game), Kevin Huerter (3-Point Contest), and Neemias Queta (G-League Next Up Game) will be traveling to Utah for this weekend’s festivities at Vivint Arena.
Fox and Sabonis are the first set of Kings teammates to appear in an All-Star Game together since Peja Stojakovic and Brad Miller did so during the 2003-04 season.
Murray will go up against top rookies, sophomores, and G-League talents during Friday’s Rising Stars Game, while Huerter will face old friends Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield in the 3-Point Contest during All-Star Saturday.
Queta will play in Sunday morning’s G-League Next Up Game, as the second-year center will put his talents on display against other notable G-League players.
Sactown Sports 1140 will be present at All-Star Weekend, as Chris Watkins will join Frankie Cartoscelli on the ground for all of the exciting events and entertainment around Salt Lake City.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings Schedule
Friday, February 17th — Sunday, February 19th — NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Thursday, February 23rd – Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 7:00 PM PST
Friday, February 24th – Sacramento Kings @ Los Angeles Clippers – 7:30 PM PST
Sunday, February 26th – Sacramento Kings @ Oklahoma City Thunder – 4:00 PM PST
Tuesday, February 28th – Sacramento Kings @ Oklahoma City Thunder – 5:00 PM PST
Friday, March 3rd – Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers – 7:00 PM PST
Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on Twitter and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel. Frankie Cartoscelli is the Kings’ beat reporter for SactownSports.com. Follow Frankie on Twitter.”
