De’Aaron Fox scored 10 of his 27 points in the final five minutes and the Sacramento Kings overcame a 20-point deficit in the first half to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 128-123 on Thursday night, ending an eight-game losing streak.
Buddy Hield had 26 points and seven rebounds to help the Kings win for the first time since beating Golden State on Dec. 15. Richaun Holmes added 18 points and seven rebounds, and Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 16 points.
The Kings allowed 42 points in the first quarter and 37 in the third but held the Grizzlies to 13 through the first 10 ½ minutes of the fourth quarter, one of the best defensive stretches of the season by coach Luke Walton’s team.
Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas (17) scores over Sacramento Kings forward Richaun Holmes (22) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020. (AP PhotoRandall Benton)
Sacramento took control with a 14-4 run after trailing 106-104 with 5:11 to go.
Ja Morant, the Western Conference rookie of the month for December, had 23 points and seven assists for Memphis. Jonas Valanciunas added 18 points and 12 rebounds.
The Grizzlies led 42-26 after the first quarter and took a 97-90 advantage into the fourth.
Sacramento Kings forward Richaun Holmes (22) scores as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) defends during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020. (AP PhotoRandall Benton)
Before the game a moment of silence was held for former NBA Commissioner David Stern. At halftime, a tribute to Stern played on the giant video scoreboard. Stern died Wednesday at the age of 77.
TIP-INS
Grizzlies: The 42 points matched the most in any quarter by Memphis this season and were five more than the Grizzlies had in a first quarter this season.
Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40) defends against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020. (AP PhotoRandall Benton)
Kings: The 128 points were the Kings' season high. … The King avoided their first nine-game losing streak since 2009. … Marvin Bagley III (left foot soreness) was on the court taking shots before the game. That’s considerable progress from when Bagley got hurt Dec. 26 against Minnesota and left the arena in a walking boot. There is no timetable for his return.
PASSING FANCY
The Grizzlies dished out 31 assists, the 12th time this season they’ve had 30 or more. That’s tied for second-most in franchise history and one shy of the record set last season.
UP NEXT
Grizzlies: Play the Clippers in Los Angeles on Saturday. Memphis has lost three straight in the series, including 121-119 at home on Nov. 25.
Kings: Host the Pelicans on Saturday. Sacramento lost three of four to New Orleans last season.
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