SALT LAKE CITY — Keegan Murray’s standout performance with a season-high 26 points, alongside Zach LaVine’s contribution of 22 points, powered the Sacramento Kings to a solid 118-101 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.
Murray excelled from beyond the arc, sinking five 3-pointers, and LaVine added four of his own. Keon Ellis also returned to make an impact with three successful shots from downtown. As a team, the Kings achieved an impressive 15 out of 36 from three-point territory. Their dominance didn’t stop there; they were equally effective in the paint, scoring 50 points while maintaining a 52.9% field goal percentage. This formidable performance set off their four-game road stint on a high note.
Murray was a versatile force on the court, scoring through a variety of means, including dunks, drives, and his hallmark long-range shots. This marks the first time Murray has surpassed the 20-point threshold since November 24, when he scored 21 points in a game against Brooklyn.
For the Jazz, Walker Kessler stood out with a season-high 25 points and 14 rebounds. Notably, Kessler matched a rare NBA feat: becoming one of only two players in history, alongside Nikola Jokic, to achieve at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, without any turnovers, all while shooting a perfect 100% from the field. Newcomer KJ Martin also made his presence felt with 16 points, marking his best performance since joining Utah.
The Jazz faced challenges as they rested key scorers such as Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Collin Sexton due to respective injuries. This strategic decision, combined with Sacramento’s tough defense, left Utah struggling both inside the paint and beyond the perimeter, and they were outrebounded 47-34.
Key takeaways from the game include the Kings’ disciplined and efficient play in the second half, placing them a step ahead of the Jazz continually. Conversely, aside from Kessler’s noteworthy performance, the undermanned Jazz lacked significant interior presence and faltered in their outside shooting attempts.
A pivotal moment occurred when DeMar DeRozan hit a jump shot with 9:48 remaining in the game, igniting a 14-3 surge that extended Sacramento’s lead to 91-72, essentially sealing the contest.
One definitive statistic of the night was Jordan Clarkson’s performance, notably avoiding a scoreless game streak by sinking a layup with just over a minute to play. Nevertheless, he closed the night with a mere 2 points, shooting 1 of 14 from the field.
Looking ahead, the Kings are set to face Houston on Saturday, while the Jazz aims to regroup as they continue their extensive nine-game homestand against Minnesota on Friday.
