In a thrilling showdown, De’Aaron Fox showcased his scoring prowess in the fourth quarter, leading the Sacramento Kings (12-8) to a 114-106 victory over the short-handed Phoenix Suns (12-10) on Friday night.
Despite the Suns’ persistent efforts in the final quarter, Fox’s stellar performance secured the Kings’ third consecutive win in the series.
Fox delivered a masterclass in clutch play, scoring 23 of his 34 points in the decisive fourth quarter. His shooting proficiency, including a perfect record from beyond the arc, propelled the Kings to victory.
The Kings’ triumph unfolded as they overcame a halftime deficit, flipping the script to lead 83-71 going into the fourth quarter.
Despite the Suns’ resilience, the Kings’ defensive efforts, particularly against the double-teamed Devin Booker, stifled the home team’s offensive opportunities.
While the Suns played without stars Kevin Durant (ankle) and Bradley Beal (back), Devin Booker stepped up, leading his team with 28 points on an impressive 10-of-14 shooting.
However, the absence of key players proved challenging for the Suns, especially in containing Fox’s explosive fourth-quarter performance.
Sacramento’s bench also played a crucial role in the victory, providing valuable contributions. Rookie Sasha Vezenkov scored 14 points, while Malik Monk and Keon Ellis added 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Despite a late surge from the Suns, including a series of 3-pointers, the Kings maintained control, securing the win.
Fox’s pivotal five-point swing, highlighted by a Flagrant 1 call against Jusuf Nurkic, proved instrumental in maintaining Sacramento’s lead.
