Domantas Sabonis delivered another outstanding performance with his second straight triple-double, leading the Sacramento Kings to a 135-130 victory over the Toronto Raptors during Friday’s NBA action.
Sabonis racked up 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists, marking his eighth triple-double of the season and third in four games. An alley-oop highlighted his achievement pass to Malik Monk in the fourth quarter.
De’Aaron Fox matched Sabonis in scoring with 24 points, contributing to the Kings’ success, which includes four wins in their last five games. Keegan Murray added 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Harrison Barnes scored 16.
“It seems like it’s a common theme after every game, he’s getting a triple-double,” Kings coach Mike Brown said. “Which is unique, especially for his position.”
Despite Sabonis fouling out in the final minute, the Kings managed to maintain their lead with Chris Duarte stepping in. Fox praised Sabonis for his multifaceted role in the team, acknowledging his significant contributions on both court ends.
“He does everything for us,” Fox said of Sabonis. “He’s the hub of our offense and even better for us defensively as well. We ask him to do so much for us: rebound, score the ball, play-make, screen. That takes a lot out of a person, but he’s been well-equipped for it, and he’s dominated at it.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings, Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors Updates
The Raptors, trailing by 20 at halftime, mounted a comeback in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to just two points in the final minutes. Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes led Toronto’s scoring with 20 points each, and contributions from Dennis Schroder and Pascal Siakam kept the game competitive.
Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic commended his team for its resilience and physicality despite falling short. Sacramento’s strong performance from the 3-point line, outscoring Toronto 42-15, was a key factor in their win.
“When you’re down 20, you have a decision to make, if you’re going to quit or are you going to continue fighting?” Rajakovic said. “Our group stayed together and they continued fighting. We found a way to get back in the game.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings, Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors Updates
The first half concluded with Sacramento on a high, thanks to a 9-0 run, and Sabonis’ 12 points in the first quarter set the tone early. While pleased with the offensive output, Kings coach Mike Brown emphasized the need for better defensive play after allowing 77 points in the second half.
“We’ve shown we can score,” Brown said. “There’s been some times when the ball is not going into the hole, and that’s when your defense really has to step up. And if you can rely on that to a certain degree, then the sky’s the limit.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings, Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors Updates
The Raptors, who had won two consecutive games after a trade involving OG Anunoby, are in the midst of a six-game West Coast trip, with ongoing trade rumors surrounding Siakam. Rajakovic urged the team to focus on their tasks amid external distractions.
Looking ahead, the Raptors will face the Golden State Warriors, while the Kings will host the New Orleans Pelicans in their next games.
