Home NBA Fox shines in return as Kings edge Bulls to extend streak

Fox shines in return as Kings edge Bulls to extend streak

The Sacramento Kings secured a hard-fought 124-119 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, extending their season-high win streak to seven games.

De’Aaron Fox, playing his first game after missing three due to a bruised right glute, delivered 26 points and nine rebounds. Domantas Sabonis added 22 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists, continuing his dominant stretch after a 28-rebound game against Boston.

The Kings, now 20-19, benefitted from Malik Monk’s all-around effort, which included 18 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. Interim coach Doug Christie has led Sacramento to a 7-1 record since taking over after Mike Brown’s dismissal on December 27.

Zach LaVine carried the Bulls with 36 points, marking his sixth consecutive game with 30 or more. Lonzo Ball, in his first start since January 2022, contributed 15 points on five three-pointers, while Nikola Vucevic tallied 18 points and seven rebounds.

The game saw intense action in the closing minutes. LaVine’s free throws and a jumper brought Chicago within one point with 2:28 left, but Fox restored Sacramento’s cushion with clutch foul shots. Monk’s potential game-tying drive was blocked by Vucevic, and a costly five-second violation by the Bulls sealed their fate.

Sabonis, shooting 8-for-10 from the field, converted two late free throws to finalize the win. Sacramento’s perimeter shooting played a critical role, with Fox connecting on four of eight attempts from beyond the arc.

For Chicago, now 18-21, LaVine’s scoring and Ball’s return were bright spots, but the team struggled to capitalize on opportunities down the stretch. The Kings dominated the boards, outrebounding the Bulls 53-45, and displayed superior ball movement with 33 assists.

DeMar DeRozan, making his first appearance in Chicago since being traded to Sacramento in July, received a warm reception. He contributed 21 points but shot just 9-for-20 from the floor.

Game Recap: Kings 124, Bulls 119
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