BBNBA: "Kentucky Kings" Combine for 50 in Win over Rockets

The “Kentucky Kings” has a nice ring to it.

De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, and Trey Lyles are currently thriving in Sacramento. Fox, who is averaging 24.3 PPG and 6.1 APG this season, may end up being an NBA All-Star replacement before it’s all said and done. Monk has been playing great off the bench, making a strong case for Sixth Man of the Year (13.4 PPG and 3.9 APG in 22.6 minutes off the bench). Lyles is playing his role perfectly, being the guy who can come in and knock down a few threes and play solid defense.

The Sacramento offense has scored 130+ points in 12 games this season and equaled their win total from all of last season before this year’s trade deadline occurred. It took Sacramento only 53 games to reach 30 wins, marking this season as the quickest the franchise has reached 30 wins since doing it in 44 games during the 2004-05 season. Something special is brewing in Sac-Town.

In the Kings’ 140-120 blowout victory over the Houston Rockets Monday night, Monk contributed 20 points in 22 minutes off the bench, knocking down half of his shots. Fox fell two assists shy of his ninth double-double of the season, finishing with 16 points and eight dimes in 29 minutes of action. Lyles played 16 minutes, knocked down six of his seven shots taken, and finished with 14 points. That’ll get the job done.

It took 53 games, but the Kings have finally begun to garner the respect that they deserve. Sacramento currently sits at 30-23, good for third in the Western Conference.

Other BBNBA Notes:

• Keldon Johnson shot 8/12 for 21 points in San Antonio’s blowout loss to the Chicago Bulls Monday night. The Spurs continue to trickle down the Western Conference standings, currently sitting at 14-40.
• 2023 NBA All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a quiet night for his standards, scoring 20 points and dishing four assists in the Thunder’s 141-114 loss to the Golden State Warriors. SGA’s 20 points scored were his lowest since December 31st when he scored 14 points.

BBNBA Stats:

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	MIN	+/-
Keldon Johnson (SAS)	104-128 L @ CHI	21	8-12 (0-2)	2	2	1	0	3	29	-9
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)	114-141 L @ GSW	20	6-16 (0-1)	0	4	0	0	0	29	-17
Malik Monk (SAC)	140-120 W @ HOU	20	6-12 (4-7)	1	2	0	0	2	22	+11
De’Aaron Fox (SAC)	140-120 W @ HOU	16	5-12 (0-1)	4	8	2	1	4	29	+13
Trey Lyles (SAC)	140-120 W @ HOU	14	6-7 (2-3)	2	0	1	0	0	16	+11
Hamidou Diallo (DET)	99-111 L vs BOS	6	3-6 (0-0)	3	1	1	2	1	17	+2
TyTy Washington Jr. (HOU)	120-140 L vs SAC	2	1-3 (0-1)	0	0	0	0	0	2	-2
Shaedon Sharpe (POR)	108-127 L vs MIL	0	0-6 (0-5)	3	3	0	0	1	24	-15
Brandon Boston (LAC)	124-116 W @ BKN	DNP	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Kevin Knox (DET)	99-111 L vs BOS	DNP	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Nerlens Noel (DET)	99-111 L vs BOS	DNP	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Jarred Vanderbilt (UTA)	111-124 L vs DAL	DNP	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
John Wall (LAC)	124-116 W @ BKN	DNP	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Tonight in the NBA:

7:00: Knicks (Quickley, Randle) @ Magic
7:30 (TNT): Suns (Booker: probable) @ Nets
7:30: Hawks @ Pelicans
8:00: Bulls @ Grizzlies
9:00: Timberwolves (Towns: out) @ Nuggets (Murray: probable)
10:00 (TNT): Thunder (Gilgeous-Alexander) @ Lakers (Davis: probable, Gabriel)