The Sacramento Kings cruised to a 127-101 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, propelled by stellar performances from De’Aaron Fox and Kevin Huerter.
Fox, who continues to establish himself as one of the league’s premier point guards, posted 29 points and 10 assists, while Huerter added a season-high 22 points to help the Kings earn their second win in four days against Phoenix. The win was a solid team effort, with Domantas Sabonis contributing 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists in a well-rounded performance.
The Suns, who have been missing their star forward Kevin Durant due to a strained calf, were also without Bradley Beal (calf) and Grayson Allen (hamstring) for this contest, leaving them undermanned as they tried to stay competitive on the road. Despite the absences, Phoenix showed resilience, especially from Josh Okogie, who had a season-high 25 points and 8 rebounds. Devin Booker also chipped in with 18 points, but the Suns were ultimately overpowered by a balanced and efficient Kings squad.
Sacramento’s win wasn’t a blowout from the start, though. While they led by 26 points at one point, Phoenix mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, trimming the lead to just five at 93-88 with 10:22 remaining. Okogie’s layup sparked the Suns’ rally, but Fox quickly halted any momentum, first with a smooth jumper and then by hitting a crucial 3-pointer to restore Sacramento’s lead. The Kings responded to Phoenix’s challenge and managed to maintain control through the final stretch.
A key moment came early in the third quarter when Sacramento’s offense had stalled a bit, settling for mid-range shots. Fox broke through the stagnation by driving past Mason Plumlee and finishing with a tough layup in the paint. That play ignited a 10-2 run that helped the Kings extend their lead and seize control of the game once again. Fox’s ability to create offense in transition and break down defenders continues to be a key aspect of Sacramento’s success.
On the defensive side, Sacramento made significant improvements, especially in defending the three-point line. Phoenix had torched Sacramento for 18 three-pointers in their previous meeting just four days ago, but the Kings tightened up their perimeter defense in this contest. The Suns, who rely heavily on the three-point shot, struggled to find consistency, finishing 13-of-43 from beyond the arc—a marked difference from their previous outing against Sacramento.
Sacramento’s three-point shooting, in contrast, was much sharper on Wednesday. Just days after shooting a below-average 11-of-37 from deep in Phoenix, the Kings found their rhythm from the perimeter, hitting 11-of-22 three-pointers in the win. Huerter’s hot shooting played a major role in that, as he was efficient from all areas of the floor and showed why he’s a vital part of Sacramento’s offensive game plan.
The Kings’ balanced attack and strong team defense were evident in this victory. While Fox and Huerter did most of the heavy lifting, the contributions from Sabonis and others ensured that Sacramento kept a comfortable lead for the majority of the game. Sabonis, in particular, showed his versatility, contributing across the stat sheet and making his presence felt on both ends of the floor. His ability to rebound, distribute, and score makes him a constant threat in the Kings’ system.
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Despite the loss, Phoenix’s effort was commendable given their injury woes. Playing the second game of a back-to-back, the Suns didn’t back down, even though they were missing three key players. Okogie’s standout performance gave the Suns a fighting chance, but the lack of depth and the Kings’ more complete game ultimately proved to be too much. Phoenix will need to find ways to adjust and maintain competitiveness as they await Durant’s return to the lineup.
The key takeaway from this game for Sacramento was the improvement in their defense, especially beyond the arc. Coach Mike Brown’s focus on defensive schemes and limiting open looks from three paid dividends, and it’ll be a critical factor as the Kings look to build on their early-season momentum. This win also showed that Sacramento has the depth and versatility to win games in different ways, whether through Fox’s leadership, Huerter’s shooting, or Sabonis’ all-around play.
The next challenge for the Kings comes on Friday when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that is also looking to bounce back after a tough loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Sacramento will be hoping to build on this win and continue their strong start to the season, particularly with their balanced scoring and improved defense.
For Phoenix, the road doesn’t get any easier. After falling to the Kings for the second time in a week, the Suns will head to Oklahoma City on Friday, where they’ll look to regroup and find some consistency. Once Durant and Beal return to the lineup, Phoenix will have the potential to turn things around, but they’ll need contributions from other players in the meantime.
While Sacramento is gaining confidence with each win, the Suns face an uphill battle as they try to weather the storm without their star players. The next few games will be crucial for both teams as they navigate their respective challenges and aim to stay in the mix in the Western Conference standings.
With Fox playing at an All-Star level and Huerter finding his rhythm, the Kings are showing they can be a dangerous team this season. Sacramento’s ability to knock down threes and play solid defense will be keys to their continued success, and they’re setting the tone early as one of the more exciting teams in the NBA.
