SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Zach LaVine showcased his scoring prowess with 29 points, while Domantas Sabonis added an impressive 22 points, 19 rebounds, and six assists, leading the Sacramento Kings to a 128-107 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night. This triumph ended the Kings’ four-game losing streak and provided some momentum as they push toward the postseason.
LaVine was highly efficient, hitting 13 of his 18 shots, and Sabonis followed suit by converting 9 out of 11 attempts. Supporting them were DeMar DeRozan, who contributed 21 points and 10 assists, Keegan Murray with 17 points, and Malik Monk, who added 16. Meanwhile, on the Trail Blazers side, Deni Avdija emerged as a key player, tallying 24 points and nine rebounds. Shaedon Sharpe scored 22 points and Anfernee Simons managed 20, while Duop Reath enjoyed a productive night with a season-high 17 points.
The game held significant implications for both teams. Avdija, a recent acquisition from the Washington Wizards, has been in remarkable form throughout March. The 24-year-old forward is averaging nearly 23 points and over 10 rebounds across 12 games this month, maintaining a shooting percentage close to 50% from the field and better than 46% from beyond the arc.
For Sacramento, this victory was vital. It propelled them ahead of the Dallas Mavericks, securing sole possession of ninth place in the Western Conference standings. With roughly two and a half weeks remaining in the regular season, the Kings have a slight edge, leading the Phoenix Suns, who sit in 11th place, by one game.
A pivotal moment arrived in the second quarter when Keon Ellis drained a 3-pointer, followed by another long-range shot from Monk. This 12-2 run catapulted the Kings to a 45-29 advantage, which they maintained comfortably, never allowing Portland to come closer than nine points for the remainder of the contest.
Statistically, Sacramento’s shooting performance was noteworthy, as they converted 64.9% of their shots, including tallying 60 points in the paint. The Trail Blazers, in contrast, shot 39.8%, making 35 out of their 88 field goal attempts.
Looking ahead, the Portland Trail Blazers face the New York Knicks on Sunday in the second of five consecutive road matchups. The Sacramento Kings, meanwhile, embark on a six-game road trip, beginning with a clash against the Orlando Magic on Saturday.