BBNBA: De'Aaron Fox has career-high 16 assists in Kings win

While Big Blue Nation was licking its wounds following an inexcusable loss to UNC Wilmington, De’Aaron Fox was putting a licking on the NBA defending champions, the Denver Nuggets. The former Kentucky guard dished out a career-best 16 assists in the Sacramento Kings’ win.

Fox did not just play the role of facilitator. He also had a team-high 26 points and three steals on the night as well. After winning the first-ever Clutch Player of the Year award last season, Fox has picked up right where he left off this year.

Fox’s current and former Kentucky teammate, Malik Monk, isn’t having too bad of a year himself. Monk matched Fox’s team-high 26 points on Saturday and finished with two steals of his own. Watching these two on the court together brings back all of the 2017 feels.

Let’s not forget Trey Lyles, either. The former Wildcat chipped in seven points in the Kings’ victory. Jamal Murray sat out for the Nuggets due to a lingering ankle injury.

Devin Booker drops 34 points in Suns win

After missing the Suns’ previous game with a turned ankle, Devin Booker returned to the lineup and put up a near triple-double. His 34 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists lifted Phoenix past the Memphis Grizzlies 116-109 on Saturday.

Injuries have plagued the Suns all season long, as their newly minted Big 3 of Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal have yet to play in a game together this season. Despite relying on mediocre role players to do some heavy lifting, the team made the quarterfinals of the NBA’s first-ever in-season tournament. They will take on the Lakers on Tuesday in the single-elimination knockout phase.

Other BBNBA Notes

• De’Aaron Fox wasn’t the only former Wildcat to put up career-high numbers on Saturday. Cason Wallace scored 15 points in the Thunder’s win, the most of his young career. He also grabbed six rebounds.
• While it might not be the most in his career, Anthony Davis put up a season-high five blocks on Saturday, as the Lakers got past the Rockets 107-97. The Brow also put up 27 points and 14 boards.
• Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves just keep winning. Towns’ 28 points, seven rebounds, and five assists helped propel the Wolves past the Hornets on Saturday, giving them a 15-4 record, which ties them for best in the league.

BBNBA Statistics for 12/3/2023

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	P/M	MIN
Devin Booker (PHX)	116-109 W vs. MEM	34	9-21 (3-8)	10	7	1	0	2	+9	37
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN)	123-117 W vs. CHA	28	12-23 (4-8)	7	5	0	0	1	+12	32
Anthony Davis (LAL)	107-97 W vs. HOU	27	10-22 (0-0)	14	3	0	5	1	+12	37
De’Aaron Fox (SAC)	123-117 W vs. DEN	26	10-22 (3-6)	4	16	3	1	1	+22	38
Malik Monk (SAC)	123-117 W vs. DEN	26	9-14 (4-7)	3	4	2	0	3	+12	28
Shaedon Sharpe (POR)	113-118 L vs. UTA	25	9-20 (3-8)	5	2	4	0	0	-5	44
PJ Washington (CHA)	117-123 L vs. MIN	18	7-14 (3-7)	7	5	0	1	1	+8	31
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)	126-120 W vs. DAL	17	6-13 (2-3)	3	9	5	1	2	+8	39
Cason Wallace (OKC)	126-120 W vs. DAL	15	6-12 (1-2)	6	0	0	0	0	0	20
Isaiah Jackson (IND)	144-129 W vs. MIA	8	3-3 (0-0)	3	1	0	1	0	-6	8
Trey Lyles (SAC)	123-117 W vs. DEN	7	3-8 (0-3)	4	1	0	0	0	-1	18
Nick Richards (CHA)	117-123 L vs. MIN	4	1-3 (0-0)	3	1	1	1	0	-3	9
Jarred Vanderbilt (LAL)	107-97 W vs. HOU	0	0-2 (0-2)	4	1	0	0	0	+2	14
Brandon Boston Jr. (LAC)	113-112 W vs. GSW	DNP-Quad
Bam Adebayo (MIA)	129-144 L vs. IND	DNP-Hip
Chris Livingston (MIL)	132-121 W vs. ATL	DNP-G League
Olivier Sarr (OKC) [2-Way]	126-120 W vs. DAL	DNP-CD
TyTy Washington (MIL) [2-Way]	132-121 W vs. ATL	DNP-CD
Oscar Tshiebwe (MIL) [2-Way]	144-129 W vs. MIA	DNP-CD
Johnny Juzang (UTA) [2-Way]	118-113 W vs. POR	DNP-CD
Kevin Knox II (DET)	101-110 L vs. CLE	DNP-CD
Jamal Murray (DEN)	117-123 L vs. SAC	DNP-Ankle
Tyler Herro (MIA)	129-144 L vs. IND	DNP-Ankle

Upcoming Games in the NBA

Due to the newly implemented in-season tournament, the NBA scheduled off days for every team this season. One of those days is today, so you’ll have to wait until tomorrow for BBNBA action.

Monday – In-season Tournament Quarter Finals

• 7:30 (TNT): Celtics @ Pacers (Jackson, Tshiebwe)
• 10:00 (TNT): Pelicans @ Kings (Fox, Monk, Lyles)

Tuesday – Inseason Tournament Quarter Finals

• 7:30 (TNT): Knicks (Quickley, Randle) @ Bucks (T. Washington, Livingston)
• 10:00 (TNT): Suns (Booker) @ Lakers (Davis, Vanderbilt)