SAN FRANCISCO — Malik Monk had 26 points and 12 assists, Domantas Sabonis contributed 22 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists, and the Sacramento Kings dominated the Golden State Warriors 129-99 on Sunday night for their fourth straight win despite playing without leading scorer De'Aaron Fox.
The Kings never trailed, led 75-51 at halftime and didn't look back — with many frustrated home fans heading early for the Chase Center exits while Sacramento's lively contingent chanted “Let's go Kings!”
Stephen Curry scored 26 to go with seven rebounds after resting the first night of a back-to-back Saturday against the Grizzlies, and Andrew Wiggins added 18 points.
This marked Sacramento's first visit to Chase Center since coach Mike Brown — the former top assistant for Golden State — was dismissed Dec. 27 following a 13-18 start. Warriors coach Steve Kerr continued to express his “shock” over good friend Brown's firing. Doug Christie is interim coach.
Cavaliers 115, Hornets 105
CLEVELAND — Darius Garland scored 25 points, Jarrett Allen had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and NBA-leading Cleveland beat Charlotte to extend its winning streak to 10.
Donovan Mitchell had 17 of his 19 points in the second half and Evan Mobley added 17 for Cleveland, which won for the 18th time in 19 home games and is 31-4 overall. All 10 victories in the Cavaliers’ streak have been by double digits, a franchise record.
LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller paced Charlotte with 24 points apiece, while Nick Smith Jr. had 18 off the bench. The Hornets dropped their 10th in a row and are 1-18 since Nov. 23.
Cleveland has not lost since Dec. 8 at Miami. Its lone home defeat was Nov. 27 against Atlanta.
Magic 105, Jazz 92
ORLANDO, Fla. — Brice Sensabaugh scored 27 points, Collin Sexton added 20 and Walker Kessler grabbed 17 rebounds for the Utah Jazz in a 105-92 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday night.
Sensabaugh shot 11 for 19 from the field including 5 of 6 on three-pointers in 28 minutes off the bench.
Johnny Juzang, Kyle Filipowski and Svi Mykhailiuk scored 12 points each for Utah, who have won two in a row.
Jett Howard led Orlando with a career-high 21 points. Wendell Carter Jr. had 15 points and Cole Anthony added 12 points in his first start since the final game of the 2022-23 season.
The Magic shot 36 per cent overall and made 14 of 47 three-point shots (30 per cent).
Rockets 119, Lakers 115
HOUSTON — Jalen Green scored 33 points and Fred VanVleet grabbed a key steal late to allow Houston to hold on for a win over Los Angeles.
Amen Thompson added 23 points and a career-high 16 rebounds in his return after a two-game suspension to help Houston eke out the victory after leading by as many as 22.
A basket by LeBron James got the Lakers within 117-115 with eight seconds to go. Alperen Sengun missed 1 of 2 free throws after that to give Los Angeles a chance to tie it.
But VanVleet stole the inbounds pass intended for James. VanVleet made 1 of 2 free throws to secure the victory.
Anthony Davis had 30 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers. James added 21 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.
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