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Kings: January Player Of The Month – De’Aaron Fox

By Anthony Cardenas

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings smiles on the bench after scoring a game high 34 points against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center on January 30, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings smiles on the bench after scoring a game high 34 points against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center on January 30, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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There was not much to be excited about for the Kings during the month of January, except for De’Aaron Fox who is putting on a show.

January was one of the toughest months for the Sacramento Kings in recent history. While they won 6 of their 14 contests in the first frame of 2020, it sure felt like less, especially compounded with the losing streak they endured to finish 2019. While the 31 days were tough, the decision of who the best performer was easy. De’Aaron Fox is your runaway winner for January Player Of The Month.

January was the first time that Fox played the entirety of a calendar month, and he was certainly impressive. Here is Fox’s stat line since the beginning of the new year vs. his season averages before January began:

January – 22.8 pts, 7.6 ast, 4.6 reb, 2.2 stl

Rest of season – 17.1 pts, 6.8 ast, 3.9 reb, 1.1 stl

Not only have Fox’s numbers been up, but he has shifted into a different gear in multiple games. In the January 15th contest against the Mavericks, Fox endured a heated battle with Luka Doncic, and went in to takeover mode, attacking the basket at will and keeping the Kings competitive during one of their lowest points.

He capped off the month with arguably the best performance of his young career.

https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/1223134157250842624

The Kings were 14-point underdogs while playing the second game of a back to back on the road against the LA Clippers on Thursday night. Fox was not phased. He repeatedly drove the lane and created shots for himself, finishing the night with a career-high 34 points. He went 3 for 4 from beyond the arc, helping the Kings set a franchise mark for most three-pointers made in a single game with 21.

But points wasn’t the only column that Fox filled on Thursday. He also added four steals and blocked two shots to go along with his eight assists and three rebounds. He was the best player on the floor in an unlikely, dominant 19-point win over a seemingly far superior opponent.

The month did not come without struggles for Fox, however. He shot just 67% from the free-throw line, missing big shots in several different fourth quarters throughout January. He has shot better than 60% from the charity stripe in a game just once since January 13th.

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While the Kings are not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, the hole that they have dug for themselves could prove to be an insurmountable climb. If they are to pull off some sort of miracle down the stretch of the season, it will be Fox who will have to play like the star we believe that he can be and was in the month of January.

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