In a crucial Western Conference clash at the Golden 1 Center on Wednesday, Domantas Sabonis showcased his versatility with a triple-double performance, while Harrison Barnes led the scoring charge with 23 points, guiding the Sacramento Kings to a 120-107 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
With this win, the Kings (37-27) edged past the Phoenix Suns in the standings, securing the sixth seed in the Western Conference due to the tiebreaker. Meanwhile, the Lakers (36-30) find themselves in ninth place, trailing Sacramento by three games.
Despite the return of LeBron James and Anthony Davis for the Lakers, who contributed 18 and 22 points, respectively, it was the Kings who seized control of the game. De’Aaron Fox, the Kings’ star point guard, etched his name in franchise history during the contest.
His 21 points, four rebounds, seven assists, and a steal not only contributed to the victory but also saw him surpass Peja Stojakovic for the fourth-highest point total in the Sacramento era.
This victory marked the Kings’ second sweep of the Lakers in a season series, a feat previously achieved during the 2015-16 season.
Here are the key takeaways from the Kings’ victory:
Keegan Murray’s Impact: After missing the previous game due to an ankle sprain, Keegan Murray returned with vigor, demonstrating his two-way prowess. Despite challenges defending elite players like LeBron James, Murray excelled on both ends of the court.
His defensive tenacity against James and an impressive offensive output of 19 points, including five three-pointers, coupled with 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals, underscored his importance to the team.
Keon Ellis’ Consistency: Keon Ellis, filling in for the injured Kevin Huerter, extended his undefeated record as a starter this season to 6-0. Ellis’ defensive contributions and growing confidence with the ball were evident as he tallied 14 points, grabbed two rebounds, and notched three steals and a block in 28 minutes of play.
His journey from a two-way contract player to a standard NBA contract signee highlights his emergence as a valuable asset for the Kings.
Sabonis vs. Davis: Domantas Sabonis continued his stellar form, registering his 48th consecutive double-double and league-leading 23rd triple-double. Notably, he extended his undefeated streak against Anthony Davis to 10 games.
Despite Davis downplaying the individual rivalry, the Kings’ faithful relished Sabonis’ dominance over the Lakers’ star, setting the stage for potential matchups in the Western Conference play-in games.
The Kings’ victory not only solidified their playoff positioning but also showcased the emergence of key players like Murray and Ellis, providing optimism for their postseason aspirations.
