In a thrilling comeback victory, the Sacramento Kings defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 133-128 on Monday night at the Golden 1 Center. De'Aaron Fox led the way for the Kings with a game-high 31 points, while Domantas Sabonis added 26 points and 20 rebounds for his 22nd double-double of the season.
The Kings trailed by as many as 15 points in the third quarter but chipped away at the deficit throughout the period. Fox scored 11 points in the third quarter, including a pair of three-pointers, to help the Kings close the gap to 94-87 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Kings continued to chip away at the lead, and with 5:31 remaining, Harrison Barnes hit a three-pointer to give the Kings their first lead of the game, 115-114. The Kings would never trail again, as they held on for the 133-128 victory.
Fox was brilliant for the Kings, scoring 31 points on 12-of-21 shooting from the field. He also added 7 assists and 5 rebounds in the win. Fox's performance was particularly impressive in the fourth quarter, as he scored 11 points and assisted on two other baskets during the Kings' comeback.
"De'Aaron was huge for us tonight," Kings coach Mike Brown said. "He made some big shots and played with a lot of poise down the stretch. He's a special player, and he's continuing to grow into a leader for this team."
Sabonis was also a key contributor for the Kings, posting a double-double with 26 points and 20 rebounds. Sabonis was a force on the boards, grabbing 11 offensive rebounds and helping the Kings to a 54-37 advantage on the glass.
"Domantas was a beast tonight," Fox said. "He rebounded the ball well, and he made some big plays for us down the stretch. He's a great player, and I'm glad he's on our team."
The Sixers had a chance to win the game in the final seconds, but Joel Embiid missed a three-pointer at the buzzer. Embiid finished with 28 points and 12 rebounds, but he shot just 9-of-22 from the field.
"We had a chance to win the game, but we didn't make the plays we needed to down the stretch," Sixers coach Doc Rivers said. "We need to be better, and we will be better."
With the win, the Kings improved to 33-25 on the season and moved into a tie for the sixth seed in the Western Conference. The Kings are now just two games behind the fifth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers and have a real chance to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
"We're playing with a lot of confidence right now," Fox said. "We know we can beat anyone, and we're not afraid to play anyone. We're going to keep fighting and see what we can accomplish this season."
The Kings' victory over the Sixers was a statement win for a team that is on the rise. Fox and Sabonis were brilliant, and the Kings showed that they have the talent and the heart to compete with anyone in the NBA. With the playoffs just around the corner, the Kings are a team to watch.
