DeMar DeRozan registered 32 points and six assists and reserve Malik Monk produced season bests of 26 points and eight assists, leading the Sacramento Kings to a solid 124-112 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night.
Russell Westbrook added 22 points and seven assists for the Kings, who won for the second straight night following a seven-game losing streak. Zach LaVine put up 19 points and Maxime Raynaud added 11 for Sacramento.
Monk shot a season-best 7 of 9 from 3-point range as the Kings sank a blistering 65.4% (17 of 26) from long distance. Westbrook had four treys and LaVine made three.
Luka Doncic recorded 42 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and four steals for the Lakers, who lost their third straight game and fell for the seventh time in 11 contests. It was Doncic’s seventh 40-point effort of the season.
LeBron James scored 22 points for Los Angeles, which never led after the first quarter. Deandre Ayton compiled 13 points and 13 rebounds, and Jaxson Hayes scored 12 points off the bench.
The Kings had a 20-point third-quarter lead trimmed to eight with 3:09 to play in the game. However, DeRozan hit a jumper and Monk and Precious Achiuwa drained 3-pointers to put Sacramento up 120-104 with 1:53 remaining.
The Lakers pulled Doncic and James at that point, and DeRozan drove for a hoop 35 seconds later as the Kings broke a six-game losing streak against Los Angeles.
Sacramento’s Dennis Schroder served the second contest of his three-game suspension. Schroder was disciplined by the league for attempting to strike an opposing player 40 minutes after a road game against the Lakers on Dec. 28. Several reports say Doncic was the player.
Los Angeles made 48.8% of its field-goal attempts but went a shaky 8 of 36 (22.2%) from behind the arc. Sacramento shot 58.5% from the floor.
The Kings led by seven at the half and opened the third quarter with an 18-5 run. Westbrook capped that spurt with a trey to give Sacramento a 79-59 advantage with 6:58 left in the period.
Los Angeles eventually trailed 95-83 entering the fourth quarter.
Sacramento led 112-98 with 5:46 remaining after a three-point play by DeRozan.
Ayton followed with four straight points for the Lakers and Doncic scored his only points of the period to cut the Kings’ lead to 112-104 with 3:09 to play.
Doncic capped a 26-point first half with a trey in the final second to bring the Lakers within 61-54 at the break. Monk made five 3-pointers in the half while scoring 18 points.
