Domantas Sabonis (triple-double), Kings barely fend off Raptors

Field Level Media|published: Sat 6th January, 24:54 2024

Jan 5, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) controls the ball against the Toronto Raptors during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. credits: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Domantas Sabonis recorded his second straight triple-double with 24 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists as the Sacramento Kings withstood a late charge by the visiting Toronto Raptors in a 135-130 win Friday night.

Sacramento led by 23 midway through the third quarter before escaping with the win after Immanuel Quickley missed a game-tying 3-pointer with two seconds left.

Seven players scored in double figures for the Kings, who made 21 3-pointers — shooting a blistering 55.3 percent from long range — and won for the fourth time in their last five games. De'Aaron Fox scored 24 points, Keegan Murray had 18 points and 12 rebounds, Harrison Barnes scored 16, Malik Monk added 15, Trey Lyles had 12 and Chris Duarte chipped in 10.

Toronto pulled within 129-127 with 2:38 remaining when Quickley's 3-pointer capped a 13-3 run. After Sabonis fouled out with 1:10 left, Chris Boucher hit two free throws for Toronto before Fox scored on the Kings' next possession.

The Kings never trailed after taking the lead midway through the first quarter and finished shooting 52 percent from the field and 21 of 38 (55.3 percent) from 3-point range.

Scottie Barnes and Quickley led Toronto with 20 points apiece. Pascal Siakam and Dennis Schroder each scored 18 and RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl and Chris Boucher each finished with 14.

Jontay Porter added a career-high 10 points for the Raptors, who had won their last six straight road games against the Kings.

Toronto fell short in its bid for its first three-game win streak of the season despite connecting on 54 percent of its shots from the field, including 13 of 37 (35.1 percent) from 3-point range.

Sabonis set the tone early with 12 points and seven rebounds as Sacramento took a 36-27 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Kings caught fire from beyond the arc in the second quarter and closed on a 20-4 run to move ahead 77-57 lead at the half.

The Kings shot 14 of 27 (51.9 percent) from 3-point range in the first half while outscoring Toronto 42-15 from beyond the arc. Barnes and Murray were a combined 8 for 10 on 3s in the half.

The Raptors cut the deficit to 107-97 after shooting 69.6 percent in the third quarter.

Toronto played without forward Gary Trent Jr., who sat out due to a bruised right knee.

—Field Level Media

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