Photo by Mauricio Segura owner The Golden Bay Times, photographer, and writer: The Sacramento Kings Malik Monk (0) going for a successful layup against the Atlanta Hawks at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Jan 22, 2024

By Mauricio Segura

SACRAMENTO–In a game marked by a standout performance from Harrison Barnes, the Sacramento Kings secured a crucial victory, ending their four-game losing streak with a 122-107 win over the Atlanta Hawks at the Golden One Center in Sacramento tonight.

Facing a significant challenge, the Atlanta Hawks played without their All-Star guard Trae Young, who suffered a concussion in the previous Saturday’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. This absence proved to be a factor as Kings forward Harrison Barnes took center stage, putting on a clinic of precision by achieving his second 30-point game of the season.

The Kings took control of the game during the second quarter, scoring 30 points while the Hawks struggled, managing only 16. This strong performance gave the Kings a halftime lead of 57-40. Throughout the game, Atlanta faced offensive challenges, scoring a season-low 40 points in the first half and shooting only 38.7% overall.

Sacramento extended their lead in the third quarter to 66-42, but Atlanta mounted a comeback with a 16-2 run, narrowing the gap to 10 points. Undeterred, Sacramento responded with a strong 13-2 run, securing an 87-66 advantage.

A key factor in Sacramento’s success was their bench performance, outscoring Atlanta’s bench 43-19. Additionally, the Kings dominated in the paint, finishing with a 56-40 advantage. Domantas Sabonis played a significant role with relentless drives, contributing 14 points and securing 21 rebounds, marking his 25th consecutive double-double. This ties him with legendary “Big O” Oscar Robertson for the second-longest streak in franchise history.

Keegan Murray and Malik Monk each added 13 points, while De’Aaron Fox contributed with 12 points. For Atlanta, Dejounte Murray lead the charge with 35 points and 10 rebounds. Bogdan Bogdanovic contributed 18 points, and Clint Capela secured 11 points along with 12 boards.

This Kings’ victory not only broke a losing streak but showcased a well-rounded team unity, which has lacked as of late. From Harrison Barnes’ precision to Domantas Sabonis’ historic double-double streak, the Kings demonstrated resilience and dominance that the team and fans hope will continue.