Barnes, Raptors heat up in third quarter to beat Kings 122-109

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Scottie Barnes scored 14 of his 23 points in the third quarter and the Toronto Raptors beat the Sacramento Kings 122-109 on Wednesday night.

Barnes shot 8 of 17 and had eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals while posting his season-high fifth consecutive game with 22 or more points.

Brandon Ingram also had 23 points for the Raptors, who outscored the Kings 43-21 in the third quarter and won in Sacramento for the first time since Jan. 25, 2023. Sandro Mamukelashvili added 22 points and nine rebounds. Immanuel Quickley scored 18 points.

One day after shooting 59% overall while tying its season high with 21 3-pointers in an 18-point win over the Golden State Warriors, Toronto’s offense had sporadic success against Sacramento,

The Raptors blew a nine-point lead in the first quarter and trailed by nine at halftime before Barnes found his rhythm. He made five of six shots in the third quarter to help Toronto regain the lead and take control.

Russell Westbrook scored 23 points for the Kings. Zach LaVine had 19 points and five assists. Malik Monk scored 17.

Sacramento has lost three straight since its season-high four-game winning streak

The Kings played without Domantas Sabonis. The three-time All-Star was rested after playing in three consecutive games following a 27-game absence due to a left knee injury.

Sacramento trailed by nine early in the first quarter before rallying to lead 30-26 on Monk’s 3-pointer that banked in at the buzzer.

Dennis Schroder had seven points in the second quarter as Sacramento extended its lead to 61-52.

Raptors: Play the Trail Blazers in Portland on Friday night.

Kings: Face the Cavaliers in Cleveland on Friday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (18) smiles during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)

Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) is defended by Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)

Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (5) knocks the ball away from Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)

Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (5) is fouled by Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)

Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) grabs the rebound against Sacramento Kings forward Precious Achiuwa (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 40 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds and the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder withstood multiple injury-related absences to trounce the Milwaukee Bucks 122-102 on Thursday night.

The Thunder won for the seventh time in eight games despite playing without Jalen Williams (strained right hamstring), Isaiah Hartenstein (strained right soleus), Alex Caruso (strained right adductor), Aaron Wiggins (sore right groin) and Jaylin Williams (bruised left glute).

Gilgeous-Alexander picked up the slack, as the reigning MVP shot 16 of 19 from the floor.

According to Sportradar, this marked just the second time since at least the 1980-81 season that a player had at least 40 points and 10 assists in a game while shooting 80% or better. Coincidentally, the other instance was just a day earlier, when Toronto’s Immanuel Quickley had 40 points and 10 assists while shooting 11 of 13 in the Raptors’ 145-127 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.

Oklahoma City’s Ajay Mitchell scored 18 points in the first half and ended up playing 25 minutes before leaving with a hip bruise. Kenrich Williams also scored 18 points for the Thunder, who shot 54.4% from the floor.

Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo had 19 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists.

The Bucks were missing Myles Turner due to a sprained left ankle and Kevin Porter Jr. because of a strained oblique. Bucks coach Doc Rivers said before the game that Turner was day to day, but that Porter is “not going to play anytime soon.”

Porter's injury resulted in more playing time for Cole Anthony, who responded with 17 points off the bench. Bobby Portis added 15 points and a career-high nine assists.

Milwaukee lost despite getting 46 points from its bench.

Oklahoma City scored the game’s first seven points and never looked back while closing a four-game trip in which it went 3-1. Milwaukee committed eight of its 16 turnovers in the first quarter as the Thunder built a 38-18 lead.

The margin never dropped below 14 the rest of the way as Oklahoma City led by as many as 25.

Thunder: Host the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

Bucks: Host the Denver Nuggets on Friday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Oklahoma City Thunder's Ajay Mitchell tries to get past Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shoots past Milwaukee Bucks' Cole Anthony during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Oklahoma City Thunder's Brooks Barnhizer tries to get past Milwaukee Bucks' Pete Nance during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Oklahoma City Thunder's Kenrich Williams tried to get past Milwaukee Bucks' Pete Nance during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tries to get past Milwaukee Bucks' Ryan Rollins during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)