The Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) dribbles on the Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Williams Jr (5) in the second half at FedEx Forum in Memphis on Sun Dec 31, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (19-12) traveled to Memphis and dismantled the Memphis Grizzlies (10-22) 123-92 in as near a perfect game as you could get. They led from the start of the game to the finish. Off the bench, Malik Monk went off the rails shooting for 27 points which was the team high. De’Aaron Fox finished with 24 points and Domantas Sabonis had 21 rebounds.

Game recap: Sacramento got a nice start and the opening quarter was a real see-saw between the two teams trading leads. The Kings were looking to keep Memphis out of the paint which could prove to be one of the keys to this game. Sacramento won the opening quarter leading after one 34-29.

The Kings began to pour it on in the second quarter taking as much as a fourteen point lead. At the half Sacramento led 70-58. Monk, the Kings incredibly reliable bench player, finished the half with 17 points. 

Both Fox and Sabonis were shooting in double digits. Ja Morant, Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane all shot in double digits for Memphis in this highly competitive, fast paced game. Both teams had great ball protection each with only four turnovers. 

The Kings outshot the Grizzlies 59% to 45%. They also won the rebound battle with 28 to Memphis’ 18. Sacramento would have to pull out all the stops to keep the momentum on their side in the second half. With Morant back in the lineup this team is nothing to dismiss and the Kings were looking to control the rhythm and pace of the game in the second half.

The Kings kept the pressure on in the third quarter and after three quarters held a 101-79 lead. They were beating the Grizzlies at every turn offensively and defensively in an unrelenting effort. 

They were beating them from the field, from downtown and rebounding. The Kings had more turnovers in the game but it did not factor because of the dominant offensive effort from Sacramento.

The Kings were looking for an early Happy New Year. Sacramento was doing a great job on the glass and Monk continued his onslaught into the fourth quarter. With under three minutes left in the game this was a done deal. 

The Kings had led by 20 plus points throughout the final quarter and at 2:04 led this game 123-92 and that would be the final. Sacramento had won their 19th season game and the Kings had made a real statement loud and clear.

Post game notes: After fighting and clawing their way to a win in Atlanta Friday night, the Kings traveled to Memphis for a matchup with the Grizzlies. The Kings more than proved themselves in Atlanta trailing through 3 1/2 quarters before they even took a lead. 

They won with patience and perseverance in the 117-110 win. Saturday night they faced a far different Grizzlies team than the Memphis team that started the season. The Grizzlies have their ace Morant back on board, tried as hard as he can the Kings held Morant off with just 17 points and three other Grizzlies were in double figures as well but fell well short of catching the Kings.

It will be a happy new year for the Sacramento Kings after this game. They played a near perfect game. Not enough can be said for the game Monk put out taking some of the pressure off Fox. It will be a happy homecoming as Sacramento heads home to take on the Charlotte Hornets Tuesday night with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.