MINNEAPOLIS — In an NBA matchup on Wednesday night, the Sacramento Kings secured a 115-104 victory over the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves, thanks in part to strong performances from Malik Monk and De’Aaron Fox. Monk finished the game with 27 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds, while Fox added 26 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds. Together, they propelled the Kings to a critical win, capitalizing on late-game momentum by scoring 17 of the final 19 points against Minnesota.
Domantas Sabonis also shone brightly, contributing 27 points and 12 rebounds, helping Sacramento halt a disheartening four-game losing streak. The Kings dominated the paint with a staggering 64-36 advantage over the Timberwolves and secured 12 offensive rebounds compared to Minnesota’s meager four.
For the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards led the team with 29 points but struggled with his shooting, hitting only 9 of 24 attempts. Following a solid start to the season with a record of 6-3, the Timberwolves have now lost four consecutive games and seven out of their last nine, creating concerns about their trajectory.
Takeaways from the game highlight Monk’s remarkable return after a right ankle sprain that sidelined him for seven games. As a finalist for the 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year, he made key contributions down the stretch, including back-to-back three-pointers that helped erase a 12-point deficit during the fourth quarter.
On the other hand, Minnesota’s chemistry issues were evident despite Mike Conley’s return following a toe sprain. The results from the trade involving Karl-Anthony Towns—a deal that brought in Julius Randle (21 points, nine rebounds) and Donte DiVincenzo (five points)—have proven inconsistent. This inconsistency has hindered their ability to find cohesion alongside Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and other core players.
A notable moment from the game occurred when Jae Crowder, who had just signed with the Kings earlier in the day, made his mark by draining a three-pointer at the buzzer of the first quarter. This shot cut Minnesota’s lead to just two points at 33-31, and Crowder celebrated by pointing toward the Kings’ bench.
In terms of statistics, Edwards was particularly hot at the start, making his first four three-pointers and scoring 14 points within the first nine minutes. This performance underscored his status as the league leader in made three-pointers, averaging 4.8 per game before this matchup.
Looking ahead, both teams will be back in action for the NBA Cup group play on Friday night—Sacramento will face Portland, while Minnesota will host the Los Angeles Clippers.