Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk, top, pulls down a rebound between forward Domantas Sabonis (10) and forward Keegan Murray (13) in the first quarter of action at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Jan 9, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Monday night in Sacramento. The Kings last played on Saturday against LeBron James and the Lakers at home. The Kings lost to the Lakers in that matchup 136-134. On Monday, the Kings were looking to get back in the win column against a mediocre team. The Kings were set to welcome the Orlando Magic at 7 PM on Monday. The Kings cruised to an easy victory on Monday 136-111 against the Magic.

In the first quarter, the Kings started hot on the offensive end. The Kings started the game with a massive 41-point outburst in the first quarter to jump to an early lead. The Kings defense didn’t start as quickly. The Kings allowed the Magic to score 31 points in the first quarter to hang around in the game early. The Kings pace and shot-making early were proving too much for the Magic.

In the second quarter, the Kings followed up the first quarter with another solid quarter. In the second, the Kings scored 31 points to build the lead more against the Magic. What stood out in the second was the Kings defense. The Kings defense limited the Magic to only 21 points in the quarter.

That was a much-needed and welcome sight for Kings fans, as the Kings defense has recently been bad. The Kings would head into halftime leading the game 72-52. Harrison Barnes started quickly for the Kings with 17 points in the first half to lead the Kings.

In the third quarter, the Kings continued to build the lead. The Magic could not figure out the Kings on the offensive end of the floor to this point all night. The Kings outscored the Magic 35-32 in the third quarter. Harrison Barnes continued his hot night, leading the Kings in scoring after three quarters with 23 points. Franz Wagner was leading the Magic with 16 points through three quarters. The Kings would take a 107-84 lead into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings cruised to victory. The Kings, led by veteran Harrison Barnes to victory 136-111. Barnes had 30 points in the game as he started the Kings on the right foot and significantly impacted the victory. The Kings finished the game by outsourcing the Magic 29-27 in the final quarter.

The Magic were led in defeat by Paolo Banchero who had 17 points. The Kings improved to 21-18 on the season as the Magic fell to 15-26. This was a game the Kings should win and they took care of business at home.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Houston Rockets on Wednesday at 7 PM PST.