New York — The Sacramento Kings defeated the Brooklyn Nets 107-77 on Sunday after Domantas Sabonis extended his double-double streak to 61 games with 18 points and 20 rebounds.
De'Aaron Fox scored 20 points for the Kings, who improved to 45-33 and snapped a two-game skid into ninth in the Western Conference. Sacramento returned to ninth Sunday when the Lakers fell to Minnesota. Sabonis now has the seventh-longest NBA double-double streak, surpassing Elvin Hayes' 60 straight from Oct. 30, 1968, to Feb. 22, 1969.
“He’s such a competitor,” Kings coach Mike Brown said. “His competitive nature drives him, in my opinion. Taking plays off is rare.He never stops.” Keegan Murray scored 19 points, Trey Lyles 14 and Davion Mitchell 12 off the bench for the Kings.
The Nets had won two straight and Cam Thomas scored 21 points. Trendon Watford scored 16 and Jalen Wilson 11. Brooklyn swingman Mikal Bridges said, “We just (have to) keep building.” “Just play right and hard. Brown stated before the game that the Kings were in a precarious playoff race.
Their play reflected it. Sacramento led 65-40 at halftime after making 51.1% of its field goals and 43% of its 3-pointers. Bench scored 29 points. The Kings scored 15 3-pointers and 42 from reserves. Sabonis followed.
In the first quarter, the Sacramento center scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds, nearly extending his streak. Sabonis got his 10th point of the game on a layup with 4:09 left in the second quarter and extended his streak by grabbing Watford's missed layup with 2:22 left.
“He’s going to clean up the glass and he’s a willing passer,” Brown added. We need Sabonis, and his production proves it. His anchoring us, especially with the glass, has been a big advantage in my two years here.” Third-quarter Nets outscored Sacramento 24-13 to trim the lead to 78-64 heading into fourth.
“I was happy with the guys’ effort in the second half,” Nets interim coach Kevin Ollie said. “Great. They played excellent defense in the third quarter, and we went to our bench in the fourth. Kings went on an 18-8 run in the first 6:35 of the fourth quarter. Fox's two-handed slam made the outburst memorable.
Kings fans in Brooklyn chanted “Light the beam!” in the last two minutes. Sprained left ankle kept Brooklyn center Nic Claxton out. The Kings were without Kevin Huerter (dislocated left shoulder) and Malik Monk (sprained right knee).
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