Murray scores 26 points to spark hot-shooting Kings to a 118-101 win over Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Keegan Murray scored a season-high 26 points and Zach LaVine added 22 to lift the hot-shooting Sacramento Kings to a 118-101 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.

Murray made five 3-pointers, LaVine had four and Keon Ellis returned to the court to make three 3s as the Kings made 15 of 36 from beyond the arc. Sacramento was equally potent inside the paint with 50 points and shot 52.9% overall to start their four-game road swing.

Murray scored on a mix of dunks, drives and his trademark long jumpers while topping 20 points for the first time since he had 21 on Nov. 24 in a loss to Brooklyn.

Walker Kessler had a season-high 25 points and 14 rebounds for Utah, which has lost four of five. Kessler — who shot 10 for 10 from the field and had five assists — joined Nikola Jokic as the only players in NBA history with at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and no turnovers while shooting 100% from the field.

KJ Martin had his best game since arriving in Utah at the trade deadline with 16 points.

The Jazz, as has been their practice against mid- to low-tier opponents, held out their top scorers, including Lauri Markkanen (back), John Collins (back) and Collin Sexton (ankle). Coupled with some rugged Sacramento defense, the Jazz struggled to compete on the interior and were outrebounded 47-34.

Kings: After a sloppy start, the Kings ran a precision offense in the second half to stay one pass in front of the Jazz and get easy shots.

Jazz: Beyond Kessler, the decimated Jazz had no inside threat, which was amplified by poor perimeter shooting.

DeMar DeRozan’s jumper with 9:48 to play capped a 14-3 run that made it 91-72 and broke open the game.

Jordan Clarkson avoided going scoreless for the first time since joining the Jazz by making a layup with 1:09 to play. He shot 1 for 14 for 2 points.

The Kings play at Houston on Saturday, while the Jazz continue their nine-game homestand Friday against Minnesota.

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This story has been edited to correct the spelling of Zach LaVine’s name throughout.

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Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis (23) blocks the shot of Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles against Utah Jazz guard Jaden Springer (11) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) drives on Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie calls a play against the Utah Jazz during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski makes a 3-point shot against the Sacramento Kings during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Utah Jazz forward KJ Martin (99) dunks against Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Utah Jazz forward KJ Martin dunks against the Sacramento Kings during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis reacts to a foul for the Utah Jazz during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) passes the ball as Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 30 points and seven assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the short-handed Golden State Warriors for a 131-94 win Friday night.

Stephen Curry sat out because of a left ankle sprain and backcourt mate Jimmy Butler became ill earlier in the day. Draymond Green rested, while Jonathan Kuminga missed the game with back soreness.

That left Steve Kerr's starting lineup as Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Will Richard, Gui Santos and Quinten Post.

Kerr was optimistic Curry would play Saturday against the Jazz.

Gilgeous-Alexander shot 10 for 20 with three 3-pointers and converted all seven of his free throws for his seventh game in the last nine with 30 or more points — and now three straight. He had 38 points on 13-for-21 shooting with five 3-pointers in the last matchup against the Warriors.

Chet Holmgren contributed 15 points and a season-best 15 rebounds — two off his career high — as Oklahoma City (30-5) won a fourth straight following its first two-game skid of the season.

Richard had 13 points and five rebounds, Al Horford and Moody also scored 13 while Pat Spencer dished out 11 assists against the defending champion Thunder, who had lost their previous two road games but also won 124-112 at Golden State exactly a month earlier on Dec. 2.

Richard's 3-pointer with 7:19 left in the second quarter got Golden State within 38-36 before Oklahoma City answered with a 19-0 run to go ahead 64-45 at halftime.

The Warriors had won two straight, five of six and three in a row at home, where they are in a stretch with 10 of 11 at Chase Center.

Thunder: Visit Phoenix on Sunday.

Warriors: Host Utah on Saturday night to complete a back-to-back.

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Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (15) is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) shoots a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) shoots while defended by Golden State Warriors center Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)