De’Aaron Fox hits winner as Kings stay hot

De’Aaron Fox drove for a go-ahead layup with four-tenths of a second remaining, Lauri Markkanen’s subsequent 3-pointer was overturned on evaluation, and the Sacramento Kings moved into sole possession of first place within the Pacific Division with a dramatic, 117-115 victory over the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Tuesday night time.

Domantas Sabonis chipped in with 21 factors to enhance game-highs in rebounds with 14 and assists with eight, serving to the Kings — who haven’t gained a Pacific Division title in 20 years, transfer a half-game up on the Los Angeles Clippers because the NBA season approaches its midpoint.

Markkanen had a team-high 28 factors for the Jazz, however wanted three extra to forestall Utah from shedding a fifth straight.

Seeking a 3rd win of their final 4 video games, the Kings trailed 98-96 following a Malik Beasley 3-pointer with 6:47 left earlier than Fox took cost, scoring 16 of Sacramento’s closing 21 factors.

The final two had been crucial, as they got here after Markkanen was fouled on a 3-point try with 16.1 seconds left and cashed in all three free throws to provide a 115-115 tie.

After Fox’s hoop, the Jazz known as a timeout to advance the ball, then hit Markkanen alongside the left sideline, simply past the 3-point line. He shortly turned and instantly fired up a shot that despatched the group right into a frenzy, solely to be disallowed when video evaluation confirmed the ball was nonetheless on his fingertips as time expired.

Fox completed with a game-high 37 factors for Sacramento, which had led by as many as 14. He additionally discovered time for six assists and two blocks.

With Fox hitting 15 of his 22 discipline purpose makes an attempt, the Kings outshot the Jazz 53.5 % to 43.2 %.

Harrison Barnes added 19 factors, whereas Keegan Murray and Kevin Huerter chipped in with 16 apiece for the Kings, who beat the Jazz 126-125 in Sacramento on Friday.

Jordan Clarkson backed Markkanen with 24 factors for Utah, whereas Mike Conley had 18 to go together with a team-high seven assists and three steals, Beasley scored 16, and Jarred Vanderbilt scored 14 to go together with a team-high 9 rebounds.

–Field Level Media/Reuters