I can confidently say that the Sacramento Kings have finally found their shooting touch from beyond the arc. In a dominant 127-101 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, the Kings showcased their perimeter prowess, knocking down 15 of their 28 three-point attempts for an impressive 53.6% clip.
De’Aaron Fox led the charge for the Kings, recording a stat-stuffing line of 29 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds. Kevin Huerter also had a standout performance, scoring a season-high 22 points on efficient 8-of-12 shooting. Domantas Sabonis added 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, nearly notching another triple-double.
The Kings’ impressive shooting display was a stark contrast to their recent struggles. Prior to this game, Sacramento ranked last in the NBA in three-point shooting, connecting on just 30.1% of their attempts from deep. However, the team’s sharpshooters finally found their rhythm, with Keegan Murray, Trey Lyles, and Huerter all draining multiple triples.
“Any night like this gives us a lot of confidence, especially when we didn’t get off to a great start at all shooting the ball this year,” Keegan Murray said. “To have things fall in place tonight after a rough game in San Antonio, it’s a good feeling, and hopefully we can carry that on to the next game.”
In the opening minutes, the Kings showcased their perimeter prowess, securing a 15-4 lead by making 7 of their 7 shots. The Suns, who were playing without Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal due to calf injuries, struggled to keep pace, shooting just 2-of-11 from the field and 0-of-6 from three-point range in the early going.
Josh Okogie did his best to keep the Suns in the game, scoring a season-high 25 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Kings’ onslaught. The Kings’ defense stifled Devin Booker, holding him to 18 points on 6-of-16 shooting.
The Kings’ hot shooting proved to be the difference, as they led by as many as 26 points before the Suns made a late push in the fourth quarter. However, De’Aaron Fox ended the Suns’ rally with a timely jumper and a three-pointer, securing the victory.
The victory marked the second time in four days that the Kings have beaten the Suns, a testament to their growth as a team. Mike Brown, the Kings’ head coach, was particularly impressed with the defensive effort, singling out Keegan Murray for his work on Devin Booker.
“I’ve gotta give a shoutout to Keegan,” Brown said. “He was our defensive player of the game. We put on numerous outstanding defensive performances. You’re not going to stop Book. You’ve just got to try to make him work. Keegan did his best to make him work, and our team was there to support him.”
The Kings’ performance was especially impressive given that DeMar DeRozan left the game at halftime due to lower back tightness and did not return. The fact that the team was able to thrive in his absence is a testament to their depth and versatility.
As the Kings continue their homestand, they will look to build on this momentum when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. With their 3-point shooting woes seemingly behind them, the Kings appear poised to make a push up the Western Conference standings.