DeMar DeRozan delivered a historic performance with 27 points, leading the Sacramento Kings to a 122-107 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The win marked another exciting chapter for the Kings, who rallied in the fourth quarter to secure the win after trailing for most of the game.
Sabonis shines with Triple-Double
Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis also had an incredible outing, registering his third triple-double of the season. The All-Star forward finished with 17 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds while maintaining perfect shooting efficiency, going 6 for 6 from the field and 5 for 5 from the free-throw line. Sabonis’ flawless performance helped the Kings overcome a late-game deficit, showcasing his all-around skills and leadership on the court.
DeRozan makes franchise history
At 35 years old, DeRozan continues to defy age, scoring 20 or more points in each of his first eight games with the Kings, breaking a franchise record previously held by Chris Webber, who had 20+ points in the first seven games of the 1999 season.
DeRozan’s consistency and scoring prowess have been key to the Kings’ strong start to the season. The six-time All-Star, who joined Sacramento after three seasons with the Chicago Bulls, is continuing to show that his skills are still elite in his 16th NBA season.
Strong contributions from Murray and Fox
Keegan Murray added a double-double of his own, contributing 22 points and 12 rebounds, while De’Aaron Fox chipped in 21 points. Fox, however, struggled with his shooting, going just 5 for 17 from the field and 2 for 8 from beyond the arc, still dealing with a finger injury. Despite the shooting woes, Fox’s defensive presence was vital to the Kings’ comeback in the fourth quarter.
Raptors fall short in fourth quarter
The Raptors led for much of the game, but they faltered in the fourth quarter, being outscored 33-14 by the Kings. RJ Barrett led Toronto with 23 points, while Davion Mitchell, who was traded to Toronto in the offseason, scored 20 points in his first game back in Sacramento. The Raptors’ inability to close out the game in the final period ultimately handed the Kings the win.
Key Moment: Kings’ 9-0 Run
The defining moment came early in the fourth quarter when the Kings, trailing 95-89, launched a 9-0 run to take control of the game. DeRozan kickstarted the spurt with a mid-range jumper, and Malik Monk capped it off with the final seven points, giving the Kings an unassailable lead.
Historic Triple-Double by Sabonis
Sabonis' triple-double performance was notable for his perfect shooting night, making it the eighth such game in NBA history since the 1982-83 season. The last player to achieve such a feat was Josh Giddey of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who did so in January 2023 against the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Raptors will continue their road trip with a visit to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night, marking the third stop on their five-game stretch away from home.
