NBA: Kings set franchise record with 25 threes, torch Nets

Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) follows through on a shot as Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (1) turns back to watch in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/José Luis Villegas)

SACRAMENTO, California — DeAaron Fox had 28 points and nine assists, and the Sacramento Kings set a franchise record for 3-pointers with 25 in a 131-118 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night in the NBA.

Domantas Sabonis added 15 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists for the Kings, who have won three straight against the Nets including a season sweep last year. Keegan Murray scored 24 and Malik Monk had 21 points and nine assists.

It was the second time this season the Kings had three players with seven assists or more.

Sacramento shot 25 of 45 from 3-point range (55.6%), breaking the previous Kings record of 23. Fox and Trey Lyles led the sharp shooting from beyond the arc with five 3s apiece.

you heard 'em, LIGHT THE BEAM 🟣🔦 pic.twitter.com/daEPWPtkz1

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) December 12, 2023

Mikal Bridges led the Nets with 22 points, five assists and five rebounds. Brooklyn was one of the hottest teams in the East going into the night with six wins in its previous seven games.

The Kings led comfortably most of the way before the Nets pulled to 110-104 with six minutes left. Harrison Barnes responded with his third 3-pointer of the game and Sacramento pulled away.

Coming off a 23-point fourth quarter against the Suns last Friday, Fox gave the Kings a quick spark with a corner 3 in the first quarter. The ball bounced off the rim multiple times before falling in as Fox hopped up and down with each bounce.

Sacramento limited Brooklyn to 18 points in the first quarter and led 26-18.

After trailing by double digits early in the second, the Nets got within 71-67 on Cameron Thomas’ 3-pointer midway through the third.

Sacramento took control after that and led 89-74 following Monk’s thunderous one-handed dunk and Murray’s 3-pointer. Monk later fed Lyles with a lob pass that Lyles dunked to make it 107-90.

UP NEXT

Nets: Face the Suns in Phoenix on Wednesday.

Kings: Play the Clippers in Los Angeles on Tuesday.