Domantas Sabonis recorded 17 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists, leading the Sacramento Kings to a 120-107 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.
The Kings have dominated the Lakers recently, winning seven of their last eight matchups, including a clean sweep in this season’s series. Harrison Barnes contributed significantly with seven 3-pointers and 23 points, while De’Aaron Fox added 21 points and Keegan Murray chipped in 19, with all five starters reaching double figures.
Sabonis notched his league-leading 23rd triple-double, with his latest coming in the Kings’ previous win against the Lakers. Kings coach Mike Brown lauded Sabonis’s consistency, especially against the physical presence of the Lakers’ Anthony Davis.
“Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 28 points. Davis added 22 points and 10 rebounds, and LeBron James had 18 points and 13 boards.
Both teams are jostling for playoff positioning, with the Kings now tied with Phoenix for sixth place in the Western Conference, putting them three games ahead of the ninth-place Lakers.
Sacramento took control in the third quarter, going on a 10-2 run to start the period and limiting the Lakers to just four field goals. Fox’s scoring surge at the end of the third quarter extended the Kings’ lead to 15 points.
“The Lakers cut the deficit to single digits early in the fourth, but Barnes and Malik Monk answered with consecutive 3-pointers to give the Kings a comfortable cushion again.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham lamented his team’s failure to execute the fundamentals.
“Sacramento led 60-56 at halftime, boosted by Murray’s 14 points and four 3-pointers. Brown credited the Kings’ defense for holding the Lakers scoreless at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second.
“The Kings, missing Kevin Huerter (right leg contusion) and Trey Lyles (left knee sprain), still managed to secure their second consecutive victory, following a dominant win over Milwaukee. Barnes emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency against all opponents.
“I don’t think we have a problem as a team getting up for big games,” Barnes said. “I don’t think that’s been our Achilles heel at all … We’re able to respond and get up for those games. Now, can we just maintain that consistency and that same focus throughout the rest of the league?”
