BBNBA: Fox, Monk combine for 87 points in NBA's 2nd-highest scoring game ever

De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk were playing like it was 2016-17 all over again.

On Friday night, the former Kentucky backcourt combined for a total of 87 points in the Sacramento Kings’ insane 176-175 double-overtime victory over the LA Clippers. Fox finished with 42 points, five rebounds, 12 assists, and five steals in 45 minutes played, scoring the go-ahead basket down the stretch that ultimately gave his team the win.

Meanwhile, Monk was just as impressive, exploding for a career-high 45 points on 15-24 overall shooting, including a 6-12 clip from long range. He also chipped in two rebounds and six assists in his 40 minutes played. This game marked just the second time in NBA history that both teams eclipsed the 170-point mark. A combined team total of 351 points is the second-most scored in the league’s 76-year history. The two teams also combined for 44 three-pointers, tied for the second-most ever.

the Kentucky Konnection combined for 87 points tonight 🔦🟣 pic.twitter.com/DBEvG9NzKV

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 25, 2023

Detroit’s 186-185 triple overtime win over Denver back in Dec. 1983 still holds the title of most points scored in a single NBA game.

Fox’s jumper with 36.5 seconds left in the final overtime was the highlight of a game-deciding 7-0 run by the Kings in the final two minutes of the game. Sacramento overcame a 14-point hole in the fourth quarter and fought back from being down by six in both overtimes. With Fox and Monk both going for 40-plus, it was the first time in franchise history that two players reached that threshold in the same game. Trey Lyles also added 10 points to the cause for Sacramento.

The Kings now sit third in the Western Conference with a record of 34-25. You’re gonna want to see these highlights…

Don’t forget about Julius Randle

Not to be outdone, Julius Randle actually had the highest-scoring night of any former Wildcat across the Association. The New York Knicks’ second-time All-Star popped off for 46 points in his team’s 115-109 win over the Washington Wizards. The Knicks rallied from down 19 to sneak out of the nation’s capital with a win.

Randle shot 16-29 from the field to reach his 46 points, which tied a career-high, while also connecting on seven of his 14 shots from beyond the arc. But after the massive night, he was more proud of how he’s approached this season from a mental standpoint than anything else.

Julius Randle on what he is most proud of this season :

“Just my mental man…Honestly, my mental is everything for me. You know…I keep that right I’m a better son, husband, father, teammate.” pic.twitter.com/glIWxsba4T

— Big Knick Energy (@BigKnickEnergy_) February 25, 2023

After making his second All-Star appearance over the weekend, Randle picked up right where he left off. The nine-year veteran is playing the best basketball of his life at age 28. He’s averaging a career-best 25.1 points per game to go along with 10.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per contest while shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 34.2 percent from deep. Alongside star point guard Jalen Brunson, the Knicks are currently out of the Play-In picture with a 34-27 record that slots them as the Eastern Conference’s sixth-seed.

Also for the Knicks, former ‘Cat Immanuel Quickley added 16 points and three rebounds on 6-11 shooting (3-6 from distance).

Other BBNBA notes

• Kevin Durant has still yet to make his Phoenix Suns debut, but Devin Booker picked up the slack with a 124-115 win over the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander-less Oklahoma City Thunder. Booker went for 25 points, six rebounds, and eight assists on 9-21 shooting for Phoenix while SGA was sidelined with ankle soreness. The Suns have now won 12 of its last 16 games.
• TyTy Washington is taking full advantage of the Houston Rockets being in full-on tank mode. His 33 minutes in a 15-point loss to the Golden State Warriors were the most of his young career as he poured in 15 points, two rebounds, four assists, and two steals on 5-12 shooting for the Rockets.

2/24/23 statistics

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	+/-	MIN
Julius Randle (NYK)	115-109 W @ WAS	46	16-29 (7-14)	2	2	2	0	1	8	36
Malik Monk (SAC)	176-175 (2OT) W @ LAC	45	15-24 (6-12)	2	6	0	0	2	22	40
De’Aaron Fox (SAC)	176-175 (2OT) W @ LAC	42	17-27 (2-4)	5	12	5	0	3	-2	45
Devin Booker (PHX)	124-115 W vs. OKC	25	9-21 (1-7)	6	8	0	0	3	-6	36
PJ Washington (CHA)	121-113 W @ MIN	20	8-16 (2-5)	8	1	1	1	1	11	35
Bam Adebayo (MIA)	99-128 L @ MIL	18	8-17 (0-1)	7	1	1	0	2	-18	25
Immanuel Quickley (NYK)	115-109 W @ WAS	16	6-11 (3-6)	3	1	0	0	3	0	29
TyTy Washington (HOU)	101-116 L @ GSW	15	5-12 (3-6)	2	4	2	0	1	2	33
Tyler Herro (MIA)	99-128 L @ MIL	14	5-15 (3-7)	5	1	0	0	1	-16	28
Nick Richards (CHA)	121-113 W @ MIN	10	3-7 (0-0)	5	0	0	1	0	2	19
Trey Lyles (SAC)	176-175 (2OT) W @ LAC	10	4-7 (1-3)	2	0	2	0	1	-10	19
Olivier Sarr (OKC)	115-124 L @ PHX	DNP-CD	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN)	113-121 L vs. CHA	DNP-Calf	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)	115-124 L @ PHX	DNP-Ankle	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Today in the NBA

12:00: Raptors @ Pistons (Diallo, Noel)
7:00: Heat (Adebayo, Herro) @ Hornets (Richards, PJ Washington)
7:00: Pacers (Jackson) @ Magic
7:30: Pelicans @ Knicks (Randle, Quickley)
8:00: Nuggets (Murray) @ Grizzlies
8:30 (ABC): Celtics @ 76ers (Maxey)
9:00: Spurs (Johnson) @ Jazz