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DeRozan Domination: Kings Beat Suns in Overtime
In an adrenaline-pumping match-up, DeMar DeRozan led the Sacramento Kings to a victorious 127-118 win against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night, halting the Suns’ seven-game winning streak. The Suns were missing the firepower of Kevin Durant, sidelined due to an injury sustained on Friday. DeRozan’s stellar performance saw him register 34 points.
Clutch Performance By Keegan Murray
Phoenix maintained a lead across the fourth quarter until an unexpected hero emerged for Sacramento. Keegan Murray tipped in his missed shot with just 3.9 seconds remaining on the clock, providing the Kings a slim one-point advantage. However, Murray’s late foul on the Suns’ inbound play led to Devin Booker’s free throw that tied the game at 111. Booker’s last-ditch attempt from the corner to secure a win for the Suns didn’t find its mark.
Sabonis and Fox Shine for the Kings
Domantas Sabonis marked his ninth successive double-double for the Kings, with 20 points and 12 rebounds. However, he fouled out during the overtime. Keegan Murray impressed with his double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds, as did De’Aaron Fox with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Kevin Huerter added 17 points to Sacramento’s tally before fouling out in overtime.
Phoenix Suns Standouts
Phoenix’s top performer was Bradley Beal, who chipped in with 28 points, while Devin Booker made his presence felt with 23 points and 12 assists. Tyus Jones delivered 22 points. Despite left ankle soreness, Suns’ center Jusuf Nurkic got the start and contributed seven rebounds in 15 minutes of play before being ruled out at halftime.
Key Takeaways and Upcoming Games
DeRozan’s 16 points in the fourth quarter were instrumental in keeping the Kings in contention. Suns’ rookie, Ryan Dunn, stepped up in Durant’s absence, clocking an average of 16 minutes per game as of Sunday. The turning point came during overtime when DeRozan nailed a three-point play, giving the Kings a lead they never relinquished. Mason Plumlee, substituting for Nurkic, finished with six points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.
Next, the Kings are set to face off against San Antonio on Monday, while the Suns will contest against Utah on Tuesday in the In-Season tournament.
