SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In a spectacular display on Monday night, Zach LaVine delivered an impressive performance, securing a season-high 42 points in a commanding 130-88 triumph for the Sacramento Kings over the Charlotte Hornets. This victory marked the Kings’ first home win against Charlotte in two years, cementing LaVine’s impactful presence since joining Sacramento through a multi-team trade before the deadline.
LaVine showcased his exceptional shooting skills by making eight 3-pointers and hitting 16 of his 19 overall shots. His scoring consistency was evident, having reached double figures in all eight games since becoming a King. DeMar DeRozan contributed significantly with 18 points and seven rebounds. Other notable performances included Malik Monk with 13 points, Keegan Murray adding 10, and Domantas Sabonis contributing seven points along with 10 rebounds and seven assists.
On the Hornets’ side, Miles Bridges led his team with 23 points. Support came from LaMelo Ball and Nick Smith Jr., each scoring 13 points, while Jusuf Nurkic and Moussa Diabate each added 12 points. However, the team struggled, having lost 12 of their last 14 games.
The game began with LaVine’s strong performance in the first half, where he hit four 3-pointers and scored eight out of nine attempts, helping Sacramento to establish a 20-point lead early on. Despite the Hornets showing initial resilience, their efforts quickly dwindled as the Kings maintained their dominance throughout the game.
Key takeaways from the game highlighted the Hornets’ struggle, particularly evident in their previous 53-point blowout loss to Portland. Sacramento, on the other hand, appeared more unified than ever since acquiring LaVine, signaling positive prospects as they aim to secure a position in the Western Conference play-in standings.
The game’s pivotal moment arose when the Hornets startled the Kings with an 8-2 run at the beginning, before Sacramento regained control with a decisive 23-10 run in the next six minutes, effectively distancing themselves from their opponent.
Looking ahead, the Hornets are set to continue their road trip with a game against Golden State on Tuesday, while the Kings will be traveling to play against Utah on Wednesday.
