Field Level Media
Apr 7, 2024
De'Aaron Fox had a team-high 20 points, while Domantas Sabonis chipped in with 18 points and 20 rebounds to help the Sacramento Kings defeat the host Brooklyn Nets 107-77 on Sunday night.
The Kings (45-33) swept the Nets (31-48) for the second straight year in the home-and-home series.
Sacramento built a big lead early, closing the first quarter on a 19-4 run to take a 29-19 lead. The margin ballooned to as many as 25 points in the second quarter as the Kings scored 36 points in the frame to take a 65-40 halftime lead.
The Nets cut the deficit to 14 points through three quarters, but they got no closer than that in the fourth.
Keegan Murray had 19 points, six rebounds, four assists and four blocks for the Kings. Trey Lyles added 14 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Davion Mitchell finished with 12 points and three assists.
Cam Thomas paced the Nets with 21 points. Jalen Wilson had 11 points and six rebounds. Trendon Watford added 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
The Kings are aiming to climb up the Western Conference standings. They now have the same record as the Los Angeles Lakers but moved ahead of the Lakers into eighth place thanks to owning the tiebreaker. Los Angeles plays the Minnesota Timberwolves late Sunday.
With the Nets out of the postseason, they gave their younger players and reserves more playing time. Wilson and Noah Clowney got to start and play extended minutes, after mostly playing off the bench.
Brooklyn shot just 30 of 86 from the floor (34.9 percent) and 7 of 30 (23.3 percent) from 3-point range. The Nets had 16 turnovers.
Sacramento shot 40 of 94 overall (42.6 percent) and 15 of 48 from three-point range (31.3 percent) in the win. The Kings were more assertive on the glass, outrebounding the Nets 54-46.
Sacramento also tormented Brooklyn in transition, recording 26 fastbreak points.
--Field Level Media