Sabonis helps Sacramento Kings smash Washington Wizards to extend home winning streak
The Kings extended their home winning streak to six games with a 123-100 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
Domantas Sabonis recorded his league-leading 37th double-double of the season for the Kings (22-20). Sabonis finished with 29 points and 18 rebounds.
The Kings improved to 9-2 overall and 6-0 at home under interim coach Doug Christie after going 6-12 at home to start the season.
Jonas Valanciunas had a season-high 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Wizards (6-35), who have lost 10 in a row.
The Kings will be back in action Wednesday when they play host to the Golden State Warriors in a game that will be televised by ESPN.
Injury updates
Kings guard Keon Ellis was cleared to play about two hours before tipoff after being listed as questionable due to a right ankle sprain. Rookie guard Devin Carter was out with right wrist soreness.
The Wizards were missing point guard Malcolm Brogdon and power forward Marvin Bagley III. Brogdon, who averages 13.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists, has missed the past eight games with a right foot injury.
Bagley has missed the past 14 games with a right knee sprain. Bagley, who the Kings selected over Luka Doncic with the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NBA draft, is averaging 4.9 points and 2.9 rebounds.
Stat leaders
DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points to pass Allen Iverson for 29th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Malik Monk had 23 while Ellis came off the bench to score 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting from 3-point range. De’Aaron Fox was held to 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting, but he recorded a season-high 13 assists.
Corey Kispert scored 14 points for the Wizards. Kyle Kuzma was held to 13 points on 3-of-15 shooting. Jordan Poole was held to 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting after scoring 38 against the Warriors on Saturday.
Halftime report
The Kings started slowly but eventually opened up an 11-point lead in the opening period. They went up by 14 in the second quarter and led 62-48 at the halftime break.
Sabonis had a huge first half with 18 points and 11 rebounds. He went 8 of 10 from the field and 2 of 2 from 3-point range.
The Kings shot 47.9% from the field while holding the Wizards to 33.3%.
Second half
The Kings went up by as many as 18 in the third quarter. Ellis scored nine points in the third, going 3 of 3 from 3-point range.
The Kings led 90-77 going into the fourth quarter. They went up by as many as 24 in the fourth.
Up next
The Kings will wrap up a three-game homestand when they face the Warriors on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center.
The Warriors are coming off back-to-back wins over the Minnesota Timberwolves and Wizards going into Monday’s home game against the Boston Celtics.
This story was originally published January 19, 2025 at 8:27 PM.
