DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points, and Domantas Sabonis added 22 points and 16 rebounds to help the Sacramento Kings secure a 140-113 victory over the struggling and shorthanded San Antonio Spurs on Friday.
The Kings were up by 10 points at halftime and then went on a 19-4 run in the third quarter to extend their lead to 18 points, finishing the quarter with a 14-point lead. Sacramento kept the Spurs at least 14 points behind in the fourth and earned their second win in three games.
Both teams were playing their second game in a back-to-back series.
Malik Monk and De’Aaron Fox each scored 22 points for Sacramento, while Keegan Murray added 17 and Kevin Huerter contributed 16 points off the bench.
Julian Champagnie led San Antonio with a career-high 30 points, but the Spurs lost their third straight game, which is their longest losing streak of the season. Stephon Castle scored 15 points, while Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan each had 14. Chris Paul finished with 11 points and 13 assists in the loss.
San Antonio played without star center Victor Wembanyama, who missed his second straight game due to a bruised back, and guard Devin Vassell, who is managing a right foot injury. The Spurs also lost Zach Collins, who was ejected just three minutes into the second quarter.
The Spurs started strong, leading by 13 points when Paul made a pull-up jumper with 2:37 remaining in the first quarter. The Kings responded with a 14-1 run to end the period, tying the game at 33.
Sacramento carried the momentum into the second quarter, taking a 12-point lead when Huerter made a running layup with 5:51 left. The Spurs cut the deficit to 59-53 with 3:24 remaining on a 3-pointer by Sandro Mamukelashvili, but that was as close as they would get. The Kings led 69-59 at halftime.
Champagnie scored 19 points for San Antonio in the first half, while DeRozan led Sacramento with 16 points.
San Antonio got within three points early in the third quarter after a 3-pointer by Castle, but that run only motivated Sacramento. The Kings led 93-76 after a layup by Sabonis with 4:14 remaining in the period.
