PORTLAND, Ore. — In a thrilling NBA Cup matchup on Friday evening, Deandre Ayton shone brightly, scoring 26 points and grabbing nine rebounds, leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a 115-106 triumph over the Sacramento Kings.

Anfernee Simons contributed significantly with 21 points and nine assists, while Deni Avdija also made a strong impact, scoring 20 points and securing nine rebounds. Off the bench, Dalano Banton impressed with 17 points and recorded a personal best of five steals.

Malik Monk was the standout for the Kings, coming off the bench to score 29 points. De’Aaron Fox chipped in with 22 points, and Domantas Sabonis added 21 to the team’s efforts.

Following this victory, the Blazers hold a 2-1 record in Group A of the Western Conference, currently positioned behind the Rockets, who remain undefeated at 3-0. With the Los Angeles Lakers falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder 101-93, the Blazers sustain their hopes of moving forward in the competition, while the Kings find themselves winless at 0-3 in the NBA Cup.

**Key Takeaways**

For the Blazers, the game showcased a well-rounded team performance, with six players contributing in double figures, including all five starters.

On the other hand, the Kings faced disappointment despite attempting five more three-point shots and capitalizing on 13 additional free throws compared to Portland.

**Pivotal Moment**

A crucial stretch, with Portland going on a 9-2 run within the last five minutes of the second quarter, shifted momentum in their favor and left Sacramento chasing the game for the remainder.

**Notable Statistic**

Portland dominated the interior game, outscoring Sacramento 64-34 in points in the paint, a critical factor in their victory.

**Looking Ahead**

The Kings will host the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, while the Trail Blazers are set to welcome the Dallas Mavericks to their home court on the same day.