The Sacramento Kings triumphed over the San Antonio Spurs with a commanding 18-point victory on Friday night, marking their fifth win in six games. The game, held at the Golden 1 Center, was notable for De'Aaron Fox's return to Sacramento, where he faced a mixed reception from fans. Despite the boos each time he handled the ball, Fox managed to score a team-high 16 points, though his performance was marred by missed opportunities from beyond the arc.
As the player introductions commenced, George Strait's "All My Ex's Live in Texas" played, perhaps setting an ironic tone for Fox's return. The atmosphere grew tense as Fox found himself the target of boos from the crowd. However, a touching moment occurred when fans gave him a standing ovation following a tribute video during a first-quarter timeout.
Despite the crowd's mixed reactions, Fox started strong, sinking the first basket just 34 seconds in, with a 16-foot fadeaway assisted by Chris Paul. However, his initial momentum waned as he missed his next four attempts. San Antonio maintained a slim lead of 26-20 into the second quarter.
Fox's uneven performance continued as he went 6-of-17 from the field and failed to make any of his six three-point attempts. This marked the fourth instance this season where Fox missed at least six attempts from deep without scoring a single three-pointer. He found his rhythm somewhat in the second half, adding 10 points to his tally.
"I thought he handled it like a professional, which is what we expected him to do," said Spurs assistant coach Mitch Johnson. "He missed a lot of shots he usually makes. But he got to that normal kind of bounce and pep in his step."
While Fox's return was a focal point of the game, it was Zach LaVine who stole the spotlight for Sacramento. LaVine delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 36 points while shooting an impressive 7-of-11 from three-point range. His contribution extended beyond scoring, as he also recorded eight assists, four rebounds, and a steal.
The Kings built a substantial lead by halftime, entering intermission with a 14-point advantage. Sacramento's dominance continued throughout the game, culminating in an 18-point victory that tied for the sixth-largest home win against the Spurs in franchise history.
"Everybody in the league knows what Zach can do," remarked De'Aaron Fox about LaVine's performance.
The clash between the Kings and Spurs was not one of those closely contested games that fans might have anticipated. Instead, Sacramento showcased their prowess on both ends of the court, demonstrating why they are currently on a winning streak.
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