Domantas Sabonis scored 32 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, and DeMar DeRozan scored 16 of his 29 points in the third quarter as the Sacramento Kings defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 111-109 on Thursday night.
DeAaron Fox and Keegan Murray each scored 18 points for the Kings, who outscored the Pelicans 38-28 in the third quarter.
CJ McCollum led New Orleans with a game-high 36 points, Trey Murphy III had 21, and Dejounte Murray added 20.
The Pelicans started the third quarter strong with consecutive field goals from Herbert Jones and Dejounte Murray, pushing their lead to 59-53. DeRozan responded by scoring 14 points in just over two minutes, helping the Kings take a 69-67 lead.
Yves Missi tied the game with a layup, but Sabonis hit a 3-pointer and converted a three-point play to give Sacramento a 79-73 advantage.
McCollum responded with a three-point play, but Keon Ellis made two free throws, and Keegan Murray added a basket to extend the lead to 10. McCollum hit a basket at the buzzer, leaving the Kings with a 91-83 lead at the end of the third quarter.
After McCollum made a 3-pointer, Sacramento scored seven straight points to build a 12-point lead at 98-86. McCollum scored 14 points to help New Orleans get within two points with 1:24 left.
The Pelicans had two chances to tie the game, but McCollum missed a shot, and Malik Monk blocked Dejounte Murray’s attempt.
Sabonis scored six points during a 14-0 run that gave Sacramento an early 16-7 lead. Murphy scored the last nine of his 16 points to bring the Pelicans within 28-26 by the end of the first quarter. Sabonis had 12 points and eight rebounds in the opening period.
Murphy didn’t score in the second quarter, but jumpers by Brandon Boston Jr. and a basket from McCollum helped give New Orleans a four-point lead. The score was tied three times before Daniel Theis’ 3-pointer gave the Pelicans their largest lead of the half at 47-41.
Fox’s layup tied the game again before Dejounte Murray’s basket gave New Orleans a 55-53 lead at halftime.
