Kings beat Clippers 123-107 behind Fox and hand LA back-to-back losses for 1st time since December

De’Aaron Fox scored 33 factors, Domantas Sabonis had his NBA-leading twentieth triple-double and the Sacramento Kings defeated the Clippers 123-107 on Sunday evening, sending Los Angeles to its second loss in a row for the primary time since late December.

Norman Powell led the Clippers with 21 factors in his first begin of the season instead of Paul George, who sat out with a sore left knee. Kawhi Leonard added 20 factors, as did James Harden, who made all 10 of his free throws to go together with eight assists. Los Angeles hadn’t misplaced two straight since Dec. 21 and 23.

The third-place Clippers got here out of the All-Star break taking part in a back-to-back on the highway. They returned residence for the primary time, the place they have been 20-6, solely to lose to a workforce beneath them within the West.

“I really feel like we’re competing, however we’re similar to a step behind. Hopefully we get a rhythm,” Leonard stated. “We’re a bit flat proper now, however we acquired time to select it up.”

Harrison Barnes added 22 factors for the Kings, who gained their third in a row. Sabonis completed with 17 factors, 12 rebounds and 12 assists, making him one in every of six gamers in NBA historical past with 20 or extra triple-doubles in a season.

“I believe individuals form of grow to be numb to what he’s doing,” Fox stated of Sabonis. “Averaging near a triple-double, that’s a tricky factor to do.”

The Clippers minimize their deficit to 5 early within the fourth earlier than the Kings had them down 10. After once more rallying to get to 101-96 on Terance Mann’s three-point play, the Clippers quickly trailed by 10 once more.

“While you’re taking part in from behind like that, it’s powerful,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue stated. “One mistake, one mistaken play and the lead goes again up. You possibly can’t get that far down, particularly in opposition to a very good workforce.”

Barnes and Davion Mitchell hit consecutive 3-pointers and Barnes scored once more, pushing the Kings’ result in 116-100.

“We didn’t quit 30 factors in a single quarter,” Fox stated. “When you’re guarding that manner, you give your self an opportunity each single evening.”

The Kings ran off 10 straight factors to open the third earlier than Barnes’ 3-pointer prolonged their result in 18 factors.

After their early three-minute scoreless stretch, the Clippers outscored the Kings 29-21 the remainder of the interval to finish the third trailing 89-80.

UP NEXT

Kings: Host the Miami Warmth on Monday within the second recreation of a back-to-back.

Clippers: Host the Lakers on Wednesday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba