In a significant victory for the Sacramento Kings, De’Aaron Fox led the team with 33 points in a 110-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks, marking Doug Christie’s first triumph as interim head coach. This game was pivotal as it ended a six-game losing streak for the Kings, who had faced considerable adversity after firing Mike Brown the previous week. The Kings showcased resilience, overcoming an 18-point deficit in the first quarter to take control of the game in the second half.
Key to Sacramento’s success was a decisive 17-2 run that concluded the third quarter, allowing them to take an 83-77 lead. The fourth quarter began with an 11-4 run, capped by a three-pointer from Trey Lyles, who contributed 14 points off the bench. Domantas Sabonis also had a standout performance, recording 17 points and 17 assists, while DeMar DeRozan added another 14 points to the scoreboard.
On the other side, the Mavericks struggled without their top scorers, including Luka Doncic, who is sidelined for at least a month due to a calf strain. Despite missing key players like Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson, Dallas kept the game competitive, with Spencer Dinwiddie scoring a season-high 30 points, and PJ Washington contributing 28 points. However, the Mavericks could only muster 40 points in the second half against a Kings defense that improved significantly after a poor performance against the Lakers.
The Kings' ability to reclaim momentum after trailing by nine points in the third quarter was illustrated by their tenacity on the boards, recording multiple offensive rebounds that led to crucial scoring opportunities. This win not only boosts the Kings' morale but also sets the stage for their upcoming matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, while the Mavericks will face the Houston Rockets.
