Kings 111-109 Pelicans (December 12, 2024) Game Recap

NEW ORLEANS – Domantas Sabonas scored a season-high 32 points and grabbed a season-high 20 rebounds, and the Sacramento Kings defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 111-109 on Thursday night.

DeMar DeRozan scored 29 points while De’Aaron Fox and Keegan Murray added 18 points each for the Kings, who have won three straight and four of five.

CJ McCollum made a season-high six 3-pointers and scored 36 points for New Orleans. His three-point play on a floater off the glass as he fell to the ground after a foul by Fox made it 111-109 with 1:20 left.

The Pelicans then got two straight defensive stops, giving them a chance to shoot for a tie or win in the final seconds. But Malik Monk received the ball from Dejounte Murray, which was technically ruled a block, and Sabonis grabbed the loose ball for his final rebound, sealing the result.

Trey Murphy III scored 21 points for New Orleans, but only five points after the first quarter. Murray finished the game with 20 points for the Pelicans, who have lost 21 of their last 24 games.

Take away

Kings: Sacramento had not scored fewer than 115 points in any of its previous eight wins. Their 111 points equaled their season low with a victory they have now achieved three times.

Pelicans: Yves Missi grabbed 11 rebounds, but the 6-foot-3 center’s playing time was limited by foul trouble and Sabonis took advantage on both ends of the court. New Orleans committed 22 fouls, three more than Sacramento. The Pelicans also had 17 turnovers.

Key moment

Murray hit a 26-footer and quickly followed up with a driving baseline floater that made the score 111-106 with 1:41 left.

Important statistics

Sacramento converted 18 offensive rebounds into 21 second-chance points and outscored New Orleans 27-17 in free throws.

Next

The Kings host Denver on Monday night. The Pelicans visit Indiana on Sunday afternoon.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA