Malik Monk scored 11 of his 22 points in overtime and connected on Kevin Huerter’s clutch 3-pointer with 32 seconds left as the Sacramento Kings defeated LeBron James 132-127. The 20th anniversary of Brown James’ NBA debut in the same city. Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
De’Aaron Fox, who had 37 points and eight assists for the Kings, scored eight points in the final six minutes of regulation after returning from an ankle injury early in the fourth quarter. Domantas Sabonis had 12 points and 15 rebounds before fouling out and leaving the game.
“This was a tough win for our team,” Kings coach Mike Brown said. “We’re taking steps in the right direction. We saw a lot of great plays from a lot of guys. “Malik was great for us, especially in overtime. “
James was the No. 1 pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. He scored 27 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists in 39 minutes of playing time. On October 29, 2003, the Kings lost to the Kings at their old home court. He scored 25 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds.
James’ first shot of the game was a jumper, cutting the Kings’ lead to 7-6. James’ first shot on Sunday was a three-pointer, cutting the Kings’ lead to 7-6.
“When you see it, it’s pretty cool,” James said. “That’s when I started my career and it was at Arco Arena and there are a lot of memories. It’s special and I’m still doing it.”
Derrick Richardson was one of three referees for James’ first game, and he was one of three officials on Sunday night.
Anthony Davis had 30 points and 16 rebounds for the Lakers (1-2), who used a 9-2 run late in the fourth quarter to pull within 15 points and force overtime. .
Monk missed nine of his first 13 shots but was perfect on all four of his attempts in overtime. He hit two three-pointers, assisted on Huerter’s three-pointer to put the Kings up 130-125, and then made two free throws with 15 seconds left to seal the victory.
If Fox is absent due to injury, Monk is likely to take his place.
“He’s been a really good offensive player for us,” Brown said. “He knows, I know, everybody in Sacramento knows he can play at a high level on that end of the court. All he has to do is lock down defense. When he does that, he can be a really high-level player. A two-way player who can start at times.”
The Lakers have lost four of the teams’ last five games and have never found a consistent offensive rhythm despite having six players score in double figures. They shot 39.5% from the field in the first half and committed 12 turnovers.
“I like contested mistakes, but ultimately we should be able to execute, stop and get teams the ball,” Lakers coach Davon Hamm said.
Fox scored 39 points in Friday’s season-opening loss to the Warriors on 14-of-24 shooting but was still limping before leaving the game in overtime. Fox sprained his ankle in the fourth quarter and was helped off the court into the Kings locker room. He returned after missing just 44 seconds of game time and immediately hit his third 3-pointer to help Sacramento.
Huerter made 0 of 9 shots after entering the game and scored 12 points.
“I was shooting with him this morning and I knew he was going to do something tonight and he did,” said teammate Keegan Murray, who finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists. “As a team, we all have confidence in him.”
The Kings held Los Angeles to 37.5 percent shooting (9-of-24) and scored 41 points in the first quarter.
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Lakers: Return to Los Angeles to face the Magic on Monday.
Kings: Travel 60 minutes south to face the Warriors on Wednesday. On Friday, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Sacramento Kings 122-114.