De’Aaron Fox made history by scoring 109 points over two nights.
After a day off to rest, Fox will try to keep his impressive scoring streak alive when his Sacramento Kings host the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.
Fox set a franchise record by scoring 60 points in Friday’s 130-126 overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Then, the very next night, he scored 49 points in a 121-117 win over the Utah Jazz.
The only other players to score at least 109 points over two consecutive days are Kobe Bryant (110 points on March 22-23, 2007) and Wilt Chamberlain (who did it 15 times).
Fox’s scoring outburst came while the Kings were missing key players like DeMar DeRozan (back), Malik Monk (ankle), and Domantas Sabonis (back) in both games.
“For him to come through with us missing three of our top six guys, that’s what says OK, he’s De’Aaron Fox and he did his job,” said Kings coach Mike Brown. “Wilt, Kobe (and) Foxy.”
Fox made 22 of 35 shots against the Timberwolves and hit 16 of 30 against the Jazz.
He said there was no big secret to his success. “Being able to get downhill and touching the paint has worked wonders,” Fox explained. “Whenever you are able to do that, you’re able to one, get to the rim; two, get to the free-throw line; and three, you’re able to still create for teammates. I’m trying to have a point of emphasis on that.”
Fox added that he didn’t feel tired after playing two high-energy games back-to-back, describing it as similar to any other back-to-back games.
However, Brown couldn’t help but admire Fox’s performance. “Nobody can stop him from getting to his spots when he wants to,” Brown said. “He’s feeling that. Not only is he feeling that, but he’s showing that.”
Earlier this season, Fox scored 31 points when the Kings defeated the Hawks 123-115 on Nov. 1. That game marked Sacramento’s third straight win over Atlanta.
Trae Young had 25 points and 12 assists in the Hawks’ loss to the Kings. On Sunday, the Hawks lost 114-110 to the Portland Trail Blazers to start their four-game road trip.
Young scored 29 points and added eight assists, while Jalen Johnson contributed 25 points. Young has had nine 20-point games this season, including four games where he hit five or more three-pointers.
However, Young also committed six turnovers for the third straight game, and the Hawks turned the ball over a season-high 27 times, which led to 32 points for Portland.
Dyson Daniels, who has been a breakout player for Atlanta, added 12 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, but he shot 5-of-17 and also had six turnovers. Daniels had previously scored 25 and 28 points in the last two games and has totaled 25 steals over his past four games.
“He’s letting the game come to him,” said Young about Daniels. “He’s playing off of us offensively, and defensively we’re playing off of him. That’s what we love from him, and we’re going to need him to keep doing it.”
De’Andre Hunter, who recently returned from a knee injury, missed the game against Portland but is expected to return to the lineup against the Kings.
For Sacramento, DeRozan and Monk will remain out, and Sabonis is listed as doubtful.
