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De’Aaron Fox leads Sacramento Kings to 131-120 win over Thunder in Oklahoma City

Jonathan Roberts
Jonathan Roberts

A Royal Pain

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- OCTOBER 21: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 21, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- OCTOBER 21: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 21, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- OCTOBER 21: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 21, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Led by 48 points from De’Aaron Fox and Iman Shumpert, the Sacramento Kings knocked off the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road 131-120.

Recap

Iman Shumpert started out hot and never cooled off, going for 26 points (one shy of his career-high) on 9/13 shooting to help propel the Sacramento Kings to an upset win over the Thunder.

Despite OKC getting star-PG Russell Westbrook (32p/12r/8a) back from injury, the Thunder weren’t able to keep up with a balanced onslaught of offense from this young Kings team. Seven players scored in double-figures for Sacramento, including all five starters, leading the Kings to just their second-ever victory in Oklahoma City.

Defense was again a non-factor, but it proved inconsequential for a young Kings squad averaging 125.6 points per game. Yes, you read that right. De’Aaron Fox notched his first double-double of the season to lead a septet of Kings in double-figures, posting 22 points and 11 assists, to go along with Nemanja Bjelica’s 12 points; Shumpert’s 26; Buddy Hield’s 17; Willie Cauley-Stein’s 13; Marvin Bagley III’s 13 points and Justin Jackson’s 11.

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Sacramento led this game throughout, conceding the lead only briefly in the second-quarter, before regaining to end the half up 68-56. The Kings started to stretch the lead a bit in the third, building up to an 18 point lead before OKC was able to claw back to down just seven at the end of three-quarters of play.

The Thunder got as close as four points back before the Kings put the combat bid down for good with a three From Buddy Hield followed by a quick two from Willie Cauley-Stein that put them up 11 with 1:51 to play.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 21: Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings dunks two points against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 21, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 21: Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings dunks two points against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 21, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)

Takeaways

De’Aaron Fox balled out tonight, posting his first double-double of the season on 7/12 shooting to go with four rebounds, one steal and a block. Through three games this season, Fox is averaging 20.3 points and 7.7 assists on a stellar 50.0 percent from the field. As noted by Sactown Royalty’s Tim Maxwell, only four players were able to match those numbers through all of last season: Westbrook, John Wall, LeBron James and James Harden. Safe to say Fox is on the right track.

Iman Shumpert had one of the best games of his career tonight after receiving his first start of the season. In 30 minutes of play, Shumpert poured in 26 points (16 in the first quarter) on 9/13 (4/7 3PT, 4/5 FT) shooting to go with three rebounds, four  assists, three steals and two blocks. Despite many Kings fans and writers calling for Shumpert to a small or no place in the rotation (including myself) Shumpert proved us all wrong, at least for tonight.

Offense was plentiful in this one with the Kings starters combining for 90 points and 22 assists. It was an all-around strong performance from this team and that’s with the teams 6th leading scorer, Frank Mason III, getting a DNP-Coaches Decision.

The Kings rookies were again impactful, albeit in limited minutes tonight. Neither Bagley (24 mins) or Harry Giles (17 mins) saw more than 25 minutes on the floor but they scored 13 points and eight points, respectively. Bagley also added seven rebounds and a steal, while Giles contributed six rebounds, two assists, a steal and two blocks.

Head Coach Dave Joerger’s rotation continues to change based on matchups and game flow, playing 11 players tonight with nine playing more than 15 minutes in this one. Things should settle down once Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) returns from injury, but for now it’s a mess.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 21: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings blocks Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 21, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 21: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings blocks Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 21, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)

Player(s) of the Game

This has to go to two separate players tonight as the Sacramento Kings don’t win this game without a pair of stellar performances from De’Aaron Fox and Iman Shumpert.

Shumpert’s 16 first-quarter points helped get the Kings going early, giving them a lead they used to keep this game close and grab the win. De’Aaron Fox, on the other hand, played fantastic as the lead guard the Sacramento Kings drafted him to be.

22 points and 11 assists later, the Sacramento Kings wrapped up their first win of the season on the strength of Fox’s efficient and productive night scoring and passing the ball. Fox also had four turnovers, though one of those came as a result of Fox trying to save a loose ball from going out-of-bounds late in the game.

Fox is leading the Kings so far this season, operating as Sacramento’s leading scorer at 20.3 points per game. Shumpert hasn’t been as big of a factor, never really playing significant minutes until tonight’s game. If Shumpert can string together a few solid performances and play well over the next few months, he could become a valuable trade-chip on an expiring contract for a Kings team that lacks a first-round pick.

Up Next: Sacramento Kings (1-2)  take on the Denver Nuggets (2-0) on Tuesday, Oct. 23.

Jonathan Roberts

Jonathan Roberts

Jonathan Roberts is a general-assignment reporter for the East Tennessean newspaper and is also a Co-Site Expert for FanSided’s A Royal Pain covering the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. Formerly, he served as an editor for Rotoden.com covering the NBA. A full-time student at East Tennessee State University and native of Miami, FL, Jonathan has been writing since 2014, when he covered high school sports for Casa Roble High School.