Domantas Sabonis notched a triple-double, while De’Aaron Fox dazzled with 41 points, propelling the Sacramento Kings to a 123-115 victory over the Chicago Bulls during Saturday’s NBA action.
Malik Monk added 22 points and seven assists, contributing to Sacramento’s impressive run, now 5-1 on their seven-game road stretch, and securing their sixth win in the last seven games. This streak includes a 133-122 win against Indiana the previous night.
Kings coach Mike Brown praised the team’s collective effort, highlighting the significant roles players have stepped into.
“At the end of the day, we had a lot of guys step up,” Brown said.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings, DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls Updates
With 13 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, Sabonis achieved his 14th triple-double of the season and the 46th of his career.
“Just trying to stay ready, trying to keep my body right,” Sabonis said. “And I love the game.”
Sabonis’ performance also marked his 31st consecutive game with at least a double-double, a streak Monk attributes to the team’s success.
“For him to do that 31 times in a row is another reason why we’re winning right now,” Monk said, “because he draws a lot of attention, and he’s not selfish, either. I think that’s just him playing the game, knowing the game, being a vet, and not forcing anything.”
The Bulls, hampered by injuries, were without Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and Dalen Terry. However, Torrey Craig returned after a nearly seven-week absence due to a right foot injury.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings, DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls Updates
Despite the setbacks, including LaVine’s impending season-ending right foot surgery, the team fought hard, with Coby White scoring 26 points and contributions from DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic.
“When you go through a situation like that, I’m pretty sure it’s frustrating, it’s tough on him,” DeRozan said. “It’s a whole different type of mental hurdle he’s got to go through with that. So hoping for the best for him.”
Despite trailing by as much as 30 points, the Bulls managed to narrow the gap to three points late in the game. However, Fox’s crucial free throws and the Kings’ late-game execution sealed the win for Sacramento.
Sabonis reflected on the team’s resilience and ability to learn from past mistakes, emphasizing the importance of staying focused during crucial moments.
“I feel like we’re learning from our mistakes, and we know when a team makes a run, you know, we just got to lock in for those last couple minutes,” Sabonis said.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings, DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls Updates
The Kings showcased their deep shooting range, with Trey Lyles hitting five 3-pointers among his 16 points, and the team demonstrated their offensive prowess, particularly in the first half and early in the third quarter.
Looking ahead, the Kings are set to face the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Bulls will host the Minnesota Timberwolves in their upcoming games.
