Fox’s Stellar Performance Propels Kings to Victory Over Depleted Hawks
De’Aaron Fox Dominates in Kings’ Third Consecutive Win
De’Aaron Fox stole the show with a season-best 31 points, guiding the Sacramento Kings to a 123-115 victory over an injury-riddled Atlanta Hawks, marking their third consecutive triumph. DeMar DeRozan added 27, making it his fifth consecutive game with over 20 points since his offseason switch to the Kings.
Sabonis and Young Shine Despite Loss
Domantas Sabonis, although fouling out, contributed 15 points and 14 rebounds, marking his fourth double-double in five games. Trae Young, on the other hand, led the Hawks with 25 points and 12 assists. Garrison Mathews, off the bench, scored 23 points, thanks to a career-high seven 3-pointers. The Hawks, however, missed starters De’Andre Hunter and Dyson Daniels, and rotation players Bogdan Bogdanovic, Vit Krejci, and Kobe Bufkin due to injuries.
Kings Outperform Hawks on the Boards
The Kings dominated the rebound battle, outdoing the Hawks 50-41, and maintained the lead for the last 47 minutes of the game.
Kings on a Roll, Hawks Struggle
Despite being in control for most of the game, the Kings struggled to seal the deal but managed to kick off their four-game road trip with a 2-0 start. The Hawks, on the other hand, put up a stronger fight than their previous two losses to the Wizards, despite being short-handed.
A Promising Performance from Mathews
Mathews’ exceptional 3-point shooting could potentially earn him a starting spot, particularly with the current dearth of players.
A Game-Changing Moment
Young managed to even the score with a long 2-pointer with 5:52 remaining on the clock. However, a 6-0 run from the Kings, with Fox contributing four points and DeRozan sinking a tough shot from the wing, regained them the control.
A Rough Night for Risacher
Zaccharie Risacher, the overall No. 1 pick, had a disappointing night, making the first shot of the game – a 3-pointer from the corner – but then missing his last eight attempts. This season, he’s been shooting at a lowly 31.6%, including a dismal 22.2% from beyond the arc.
What’s Next for Kings and Hawks?
The Kings will continue their road trip with their third game in Toronto on Saturday night, while the Hawks will aim to bounce back against New Orleans on Sunday night.
