SACRAMENTO, Calif. — DeMar DeRozan delivered an impressive performance, scoring 27 points in a record-breaking effort as the Sacramento Kings triumphed over the Toronto Raptors 122-107 on Wednesday evening.
Domantas Sabonis contributed significantly with 17 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds, marking his third triple-double of the season. Notably, he achieved a perfect shooting night, going 6 for 6 from the field and 5 for 5 from the charity stripe.
Keegan Murray also made a substantial impact, adding 22 points along with 12 rebounds, while De’Aaron Fox contributed 21 points to the Kings’ scoreline.
DeRozan’s performance is historically significant, as he became the first player in Kings’ history to score at least 20 points in each of his initial eight games, surpassing a record previously held by Chris Webber, who accomplished the feat in the 1998-99 season.
On the Raptors’ side, RJ Barrett led with 23 points, and Davion Mitchell made his mark by scoring 20 points in his first game in Sacramento since his trade to Toronto last summer.
The Raptors initially had control of the game, leading for much of the first three quarters, but they faltered dramatically in the fourth quarter, where they were outscored 33-14.
Fox showcased solid defensive skills; however, he continued to struggle offensively due to a finger injury, finishing the game with 5 for 17 shooting and making only 2 of 8 attempts from beyond the arc. In his last three games, Fox has connected on only 5 of 25 three-point attempts.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when the Kings were down 95-89 early in the fourth quarter, leading to a decisive 9-0 run that secured their lead. DeRozan kickstarted this momentum with a jumper, while Malik Monk capped it off by scoring the last seven points of the run.
In an impressive statistical note, Sabonis recorded his triple-double without missing a single shot from the field or the free-throw line, a rare accomplishment last seen from Josh Giddey of Oklahoma City against Portland on January 11.
Looking ahead, the Raptors will face off against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night, marking the third stop on their five-game road trip. Meanwhile, the Kings will host the Clippers on Friday night.