BBNBA: De'Aaron Fox has career-high 16 assists in Kings win
While Big Blue Nation was licking its wounds following an inexcusable loss to UNC Wilmington, De’Aaron Fox was putting a licking on the NBA defending champions, the Denver Nuggets. The former Kentucky guard dished out a career-best 16 assists in the Sacramento Kings’ win.
Fox did not just play the role of facilitator. He also had a team-high 26 points and three steals on the night as well. After winning the first-ever Clutch Player of the Year award last season, Fox has picked up right where he left off this year.
Fox’s current and former Kentucky teammate, Malik Monk, isn’t having too bad of a year himself. Monk matched Fox’s team-high 26 points on Saturday and finished with two steals of his own. Watching these two on the court together brings back all of the 2017 feels.
Let’s not forget Trey Lyles, either. The former Wildcat chipped in seven points in the Kings’ victory. Jamal Murray sat out for the Nuggets due to a lingering ankle injury.
Devin Booker drops 34 points in Suns win
After missing the Suns’ previous game with a turned ankle, Devin Booker returned to the lineup and put up a near triple-double. His 34 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists lifted Phoenix past the Memphis Grizzlies 116-109 on Saturday.
Injuries have plagued the Suns all season long, as their newly minted Big 3 of Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal have yet to play in a game together this season. Despite relying on mediocre role players to do some heavy lifting, the team made the quarterfinals of the NBA’s first-ever in-season tournament. They will take on the Lakers on Tuesday in the single-elimination knockout phase.
Other BBNBA Notes
- De’Aaron Fox wasn’t the only former Wildcat to put up career-high numbers on Saturday. Cason Wallace scored 15 points in the Thunder’s win, the most of his young career. He also grabbed six rebounds.
- While it might not be the most in his career, Anthony Davis put up a season-high five blocks on Saturday, as the Lakers got past the Rockets 107-97. The Brow also put up 27 points and 14 boards.
- Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves just keep winning. Towns’ 28 points, seven rebounds, and five assists helped propel the Wolves past the Hornets on Saturday, giving them a 15-4 record, which ties them for best in the league.
BBNBA Statistics for 12/3/2023
| Player | Score | PTS | FG (3PT) | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | P/M | MIN |
| Devin Booker (PHX) | 116-109 W vs. MEM | 34 | 9-21 (3-8) | 10 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +9 | 37 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) | 123-117 W vs. CHA | 28 | 12-23 (4-8) | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | +12 | 32 |
| Anthony Davis (LAL) | 107-97 W vs. HOU | 27 | 10-22 (0-0) | 14 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +12 | 37 |
| De’Aaron Fox (SAC) | 123-117 W vs. DEN | 26 | 10-22 (3-6) | 4 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 1 | +22 | 38 |
| Malik Monk (SAC) | 123-117 W vs. DEN | 26 | 9-14 (4-7) | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | +12 | 28 |
| Shaedon Sharpe (POR) | 113-118 L vs. UTA | 25 | 9-20 (3-8) | 5 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | -5 | 44 |
| PJ Washington (CHA) | 117-123 L vs. MIN | 18 | 7-14 (3-7) | 7 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +8 | 31 |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) | 126-120 W vs. DAL | 17 | 6-13 (2-3) | 3 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 2 | +8 | 39 |
| Cason Wallace (OKC) | 126-120 W vs. DAL | 15 | 6-12 (1-2) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Isaiah Jackson (IND) | 144-129 W vs. MIA | 8 | 3-3 (0-0) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -6 | 8 |
| Trey Lyles (SAC) | 123-117 W vs. DEN | 7 | 3-8 (0-3) | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 18 |
| Nick Richards (CHA) | 117-123 L vs. MIN | 4 | 1-3 (0-0) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | -3 | 9 |
| Jarred Vanderbilt (LAL) | 107-97 W vs. HOU | 0 | 0-2 (0-2) | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 14 |
| Brandon Boston Jr. (LAC) | 113-112 W vs. GSW | DNP-Quad | ||||||||
| Bam Adebayo (MIA) | 129-144 L vs. IND | DNP-Hip | ||||||||
| Chris Livingston (MIL) | 132-121 W vs. ATL | DNP-G League | ||||||||
| Olivier Sarr (OKC) [2-Way] | 126-120 W vs. DAL | DNP-CD | ||||||||
| TyTy Washington (MIL) [2-Way] | 132-121 W vs. ATL | DNP-CD | ||||||||
| Oscar Tshiebwe (MIL) [2-Way] | 144-129 W vs. MIA | DNP-CD | ||||||||
| Johnny Juzang (UTA) [2-Way] | 118-113 W vs. POR | DNP-CD | ||||||||
| Kevin Knox II (DET) | 101-110 L vs. CLE | DNP-CD | ||||||||
| Jamal Murray (DEN) | 117-123 L vs. SAC | DNP-Ankle | ||||||||
| Tyler Herro (MIA) | 129-144 L vs. IND | DNP-Ankle |
Upcoming Games in the NBA
Due to the newly implemented in-season tournament, the NBA scheduled off days for every team this season. One of those days is today, so you’ll have to wait until tomorrow for BBNBA action.
Monday – In-season Tournament Quarter Finals
- 7:30 (TNT): Celtics @ Pacers (Jackson, Tshiebwe)
- 10:00 (TNT): Pelicans @ Kings (Fox, Monk, Lyles)
Tuesday – Inseason Tournament Quarter Finals
- 7:30 (TNT): Knicks (Quickley, Randle) @ Bucks (T. Washington, Livingston)
- 10:00 (TNT): Suns (Booker) @ Lakers (Davis, Vanderbilt)
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