De’Aaron Fox plays, the Kings smile. Sacramento, which had suffered a series of defeats during the absence of the leader and raised some doubts, found its rhythm with its fifth consecutive victory, the third since his return to the field. The Californians beat the Spurs 120-129 this morning in their second NBA Cup game, a result that puts them at the top of their group with a 2-0 record, the same as Minnesota. Timberwolves, who will be their next rival in the tournament.
San Antonio, for its part, is eliminated after adding its third defeat, although they sold their skin dearly and, after coming back from 16 points in the third quarter, they came to dream of victory. But there was the 22-23 Clutch Player of the Year, and he took it upon himself to remember what led him to win the award.
With 14 points in the fourth quarter, Fox was once again the guide of the Kings in the last moment and calmed the spirits of a Frost Bank Center which had seen the élan of the party and believed more and more in his own. Two triples from the leader at the start of the quarter served to pour cold water on the Spurs, who wanted to take control of the duel, while with two shots at the basket in the final moments, he took charge of give the Kings the necessary cushion to close the crash without any surprises.
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De’Aaron Fox puts on a SHOW and leads the Kings to a close victory in the mid-season NBA tournament! ????
43 PTS (high season)
8 CER
7 AST
5h 3hSacramento improves to 2-0 in Group C West match ???? pic.twitter.com/Hh1zHaTpyx
– NBA (@NBA) November 18, 2023
De’Aaron thus reached 43 points, with which he achieved his best score so far this year, while Domantas Sabonis, with 27 points and 14 rebounds, was his great squire with a new double-double. Malik Monk, for his part, accompanied them both with 20 points, forming a trio that not only accounted for a large part of the team’s scoring but also dished out 22 assists.
On the other hand, the Spurs showed themselves to be a streak team that had some sensational streaks and others that could be much improved, with an irregularity typical of their youth but with bursts of play typical of their talent. With a stormy start, they took a 23-5 lead, only to find themselves down 16 in the second half, overturning that gap in five minutes and eventually falling down the stretch.
Popovich’s team was led in scoring by the 28 goals of Zach Collins, who has the opportunity this year to regain his sensations and once again produced a very complete and effective match to continue to return to his best version. Victor Wembanyama, with 27, followed closely in another fine performance although somewhat hampered by his lack of efficiency in the triple (2/8), while Keldon Johson was third in this record with 21 points.
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(Photo de couverture : Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
2023-11-18 23:51:23
#Fox #Kings #fired #points
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