NBA: DeMar DeRozan puts up 32 as Kings extend Lakers' slump

DeMar DeRozan scored 32 points and handed out six assists, while reserve Malik Monk delivered season highs with 26 points and eight assists, guiding the Sacramento Kings to a 124-112 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night.

Russell Westbrook contributed 22 points and seven assists for the Kings, who secured their second consecutive win following a seven-game losing streak. Zach LaVine added 19 points, and Maxime Raynaud chipped in 11.

Monk was especially impressive from beyond the arc, shooting a season-best 7 of 9 from three-point range as Sacramento finished 17 of 26 (65.4%) from long distance. Westbrook made four three-pointers, and LaVine added three.

For the Lakers, Luka Doncic had a dominant performance with 42 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and four steals, marking his seventh 40-point game of the season. LeBron James added 22 points, while Deandre Ayton recorded a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Jaxson Hayes scored 12 points off the bench.

Sacramento built a 20-point lead in the third quarter, which the Lakers trimmed to eight with 3:09 remaining. DeRozan responded with a jumper, and Monk along with Precious Achiuwa hit three-pointers to extend the Kings’ lead to 120-104 with 1:53 left. The Lakers then pulled Doncic and James, and DeRozan scored again shortly after, helping Sacramento snap a six-game losing streak against Los Angeles.

The Kings played without Dennis Schroder, who served the second game of his three-game suspension for attempting to strike an opposing player following a Dec. 28 matchup with the Lakers. Reports suggest Doncic was the target.

Los Angeles made 48.8% of its shots but struggled from three-point range, converting only 8 of 36 attempts (22.2%). Sacramento, meanwhile, shot 58.5% overall.

The Kings led 61-54 at halftime, with Monk scoring 18 points and making five three-pointers in the first half. Sacramento then opened the third quarter with an 18-5 run, capped by a Westbrook three-pointer that put them ahead 79-59 with 6:58 remaining in the period. The Lakers entered the fourth quarter trailing 95-83.

In the final minutes, DeRozan’s three-point play put Sacramento ahead 112-98 with 5:46 left. Ayton and Doncic briefly cut the lead to 112-104, but the Kings closed out the game comfortably. -Field Level Media/Reuters