In a remarkable display of skill and determination, De'Aaron Fox led the Sacramento Kings to a 130-120 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Initially trailing by 19 points in the first quarter, the Kings executed a stunning turnaround, outscoring the Lakers 54-20 in the remainder of the half to lead 72-57 at the break. Fox ended the game with 44 points, tying his career high, on an impressive 19-31 shooting from the field (61.3%). Malik Monk also contributed significantly with 26 points off the bench. The Kings dominated in various aspects, notably outrebounding the Lakers 46-34 and outperforming them in transition and paint points. This win highlights Fox's exceptional season, marking his 20th 20-point half and placing him second in Kings' history for most 20-point halves in a season over the last 25 years.
De'Aaron Fox showed out in the Kings W 👑 🦊 44 PTS (ties career high) 🦊 4 REB 🦊 4 AST 🦊 2 STL https://t.co/lRxWDNmHgt
Fox with one of the most dominant PG performances I’ve seen this year. 44 points, unstoppable. Russell had no chance. Reeves torched. First time I’ve seen Reaves get truly abused. Needed Gabe Vincent
WHAT A NIGHT FOR DE'AARON FOX 🔥 🦊 44 PTS (ties career high) 🦊 19-31 FGM (61.3%) 🦊 Kings road W https://t.co/NEnPDuObeH
De'Aaron Fox now has the 4th most 40-point games in the #NBA this season 🦊 #Kings ⎹ #LightTheBeam https://t.co/eYO5LX9ShP
It looked like it was over early when the Kings fell behind by 19 points in the first. And then they woke up. Led by the Kentucky connection of De'Aaron Fox and Malik Monk, Sacramento pounded the Lakers, coming away with a 130-120 win. Here are six quick thoughts:
Final: SAC 130, LAL 120. The Lakers led by 19 in the 1st Q, before a massive turnaround in the 2nd Q had them down by 15 at the half. They never got within single digits in the 2nd half. Fox had 44, and Monk 26; SAC out-boarded LAL 46-34 (9-3 offensive).
De’Aaron Fox tonight: 44 points 4 rebounds 4 assists 2 steals 59.4 FG% W over Lakers https://t.co/ttINQo3iFj
De’Aaron Fox tonight vs the Lakers: 44 points 🤯 4 rebounds 4 assists https://t.co/yddApnrOIj
De'Aaron Fox tonight: 44 Points 4 Rebounds 4 Assists 2 Steals 59% FG https://t.co/85vNGQcMhi
De'Aaron Fox has 24 points in LAL's paint, out of his 36, and the Kings have 66 paint points to LAL's 46. Fox has been driving past whatever guard/wing matchup he's had, and either pulling up for short J's and floaters, or getting all the way to the rim.
Third quarter: Kings 104, Lakers 92 LA outscored SAC 15-5 to close the third. LeBron has 27 points and 11 assists. Rui Hachimura has 18 points. AD has 10 points (3-11 FGs) and four fouls. De'Aaron Fox is up to 32 points. SAC has a 24-14 edge in transition and 50-36 in the paint.
Kings lead in LA 104-92 heading to the fourth. Fox has 32 points. Sabonis posted another triple-double and Monk has 22 off the bench.
De'Aaron Fox has now had 20+ points in a half 20 times this season after scoring 20 first-half points tonight at LA. He has the second-most 20-point halves in a season by a Kings player over the last 25 seasons, trailing only DeMarcus Cousins (2015-16: 21). https://t.co/azgfnOntNp
HALFTIME: Kings lead at the break, 72-57. 👑De’Aaron Fox: 20 PTS, 2 AST 👑Malik Monk: 19 PTS, 5 AST 👑Davion Mitchell: 12 PTS, 4-4 3PT https://t.co/QPctDHnHxu
De’Aaron Fox puts the final touches on a remarkable half for the Kings with a turnaround jumper to beat the second quarter buzzer. After trailing by 19, SAC outscored LAL 54-20 the rest of the way. Fox has 20 pts on 8-of-12; Monk has 19 pts on 7-of-10.
Kings wake up in the second, dominate the Lakers to take a 72-57 lead to the half. Fox has 20 points. Malik has 19 and Davion hit 4-for-4 from deep for 12 points. Stunning turnaround.
Lakers from up 19 in first To down 15 at half What an insane turn of events Monk and Fox can’t be stopped