De’Aaron Fox led the charge with 30 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds, while Domantas Sabonis contributed 20 points and 13 rebounds, helping the Sacramento Kings mount a remarkable comeback from a 16-point deficit in the second half to secure a 102-98 victory over the Denver Nuggets during Wednesday’s NBA action.
This win marked the Kings’ second triumph over the Nuggets within five days, following a decisive 135-106 win last Friday in Sacramento.
Kings coach Mike Brown emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities as the season progresses, with each game becoming increasingly critical for the team’s aspirations.
“We know our destiny is still in our hands, but at the end of the day we’ve got to get it,” Brown said. “And when you have less than 30 games (left) in the season, things start to get tight and every game matters for us.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings, Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets Updates
Fox played a pivotal role in the night’s success, especially with a dominant fourth quarter where he notched 15 points, including an 8-0 personal run that transformed a slight deficit into a commanding seven-point lead. This performance indicated Fox’s clutch capabilities, marking his fifth instance this season of scoring at least 15 points in the final quarter.
“When your entire bench and everybody out there on the court with you have that confidence in you for you to go make a play, I can’t help but have confidence in myself,” Fox said. “Sometimes, it doesn’t go my way. That’s fine, but tonight it went my way and we were able to grind out this win.”
The Kings also saw a significant contribution from Harrison Barnes, who added 20 points, efficiently hitting six of his nine shots. The loss was a blow for the Nuggets, who had boasted a formidable 21-4 home record before the game, reflecting their status as the reigning NBA champions. However, they faced their third consecutive defeat, tying their season’s longest losing streak.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings, Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets Updates
For Denver, Aaron Gordon stood out with 25 points and a season-high 15 rebounds. At the same time, Nikola Jokic experienced an off-night, shooting poorly and ending the game with 15 points, his lowest since early January.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone highlighted the heightened challenges faced by the team, acknowledging the target that comes with being champions and the absence of easy games, regardless of the opponent.
“We have a bullseye on our back now,” Malone said. “For 82 games, we’re going to get everybody’s best, from a team in Sacramento or from teams that may be down in the standings. There are no easy nights for us.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings, Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets Updates
The Nuggets were handicapped by the absence of key players Jamal Murray and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope due to injuries, affecting their performance and depth. Malone pointed out the impact of not having their full starting lineup, which has proven to be the best in the league when healthy.
“We’re not healthy,” Malone said. “We have the best five-man starting unit in the league. The last three games we haven’t had those five guys together. I think it’s more of that.”
Looking ahead, both teams are set to return to action after the NBA All-Star break, with the Nuggets hosting the Washington Wizards and the Kings facing off against the San Antonio Spurs on February 22.
