BBNBA: De'Aaron Fox, SGA each score 40+ as Kings top Thunder
Really ever since the beginning of the NBA’s In-Season Tournament, there have been great games and great performances each night, and that was no exception on Thursday.
In a battle between two of the best teams in the Western Conference, the Sacramento Kings (14-9) and Oklahoma City Thunder (15-8) gave fans quite the spectacle. Leading the charge for each team were former ‘Cats, De’Aaron Fox for Sacramento and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for OKC.
For the winning team, the Sacramento Kings, Fox had 41 points, seven assists, and three rebounds on the night. The 2023 NBA All-Star shot 5-11 (46%) from deep in the game as well, which is what (arguably) made the difference on Thursday night. Fox was simply on fire from beyond the arc against the Thunder.
Despite coming away with the loss, Gilgeous-Alexander had a better game individually than Fox. Which, considering how Fox performed, is impressive in itself. The MVP candidate went for 43 points, nine assists, and six rebounds against the Kings. Again, SGA proved why he is one of the best basketball players on the planet.
Other BBNBA Notes:
- The Minnesota Timberwolves won convincingly over the Dallas Mavericks behind Karl-Anthony Towns‘ 21-point, 17-rebound double-double.
- De’Aaron Fox wasn’t the only former ‘Cat to perform well for the Kings as Malik Monk scored 18 points and recorded nine assists in Thursday’s win.
- While it wasn’t one of his signature high-scoring outings, Jamal Murray‘s 16 points were more than enough to help the Nuggets take down the Nets in the Mile High City.
12/14/23 Statistics:
| Player | Score | PTS | FG (3PT) | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | +/- | MIN |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) | 128-123 L vs SAC | 43 | 13-27 (1-5) | 6 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 38 |
| De’Aaron Fox (SAC) | 128-123 W vs OKC | 41 | 14-25 (5-11) | 3 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 34 |
| Malik Monk (SAC) | 128-123 W vs OKC | 18 | 7-15 (4-8) | 1 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 33 |
| Jamal Murray (DEN) | 124-101 W vs BKN | 16 | 7-15 (2-4) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 22 |
| Trey Lyles (SAC) | 128-123 W vs OKC | 5 | 2-5 (1-4) | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 19 |
| Shaedon Sharpe (POR) | 122-114 L vs UTA | 4 | 1-12 (0-5) | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -23 | 28 |
| Cason Wallace (OKC) | 128-123 L vs SAC | 3 | 1-3 (1-2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -18 | 19 | |
| Olivier Sarr (OKC) | 128-123 L vs SAC | DNP – Coach’s Decision | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| BJ Boston Jr. (LAC) | 121-11 W vs GSW | DNP – Coach’s Decision | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Bam Adebayo (MIA) | 124-116 L vs CHI | DNP – Illness | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Tyler Herro (MIA) | 124-116 L vs CHI | DNP – Ankle | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Tonight in the NBA:
- 7:00 EST | Pelicans @ Hornets (Richards, Washington)
- 7:00 EST | Pacers (Jackson, Tshiebwe) @ Wizards
- 7:00 EST | Pistons (Knox II) @ 76ers (Maxey)
- 7:30 EST | Hawks @ Raptors
- 7:30 EST | Magic @ Celtics
- 7:30 EST (ESPN) | Lakers (Davis, Vanderbilt) @ Spurs (Johnson)
- 8:00 EST | Rockets @ Grizzlies
- 10:00 EST (ESPN) | Knicks (Quickley, Randle, Toppin) @ Suns (Booker)
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