Denver Nuggets all around forwards Peyton Watson (8), Zeke Nnaji (22), and guard Christian Braun (right) try and defend Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) in the first half at Ball Arena in Denver on Wed Feb 14, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

DENVER–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Wednesday night. The Kings were set to take on the Denver Nuggets on Valentine’s Day. The Kings were coming off the first night of a back-to-back in Phoenix in which they were defeated by the Suns 130-125. It was a tough loss for the Kings in Phoenix as De’Aaron Fox had 40 points, and Domantas Sobonis had 35.

The loss would push the Kings to the eighth seed and in need of getting the ship back on track. After Tuesday’s loss, the Kings would be behind the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks for the sixth seed. On Wednesday in Denver, tip-off was set for 7 PM MST. The Kings defeated the Nuggets 102-98 at Ball Arena.

In the first quarter, the Kings came out with no energy whatsoever. The Kings offense looked so sluggish on the second night of a back-to-back. It was no mystery that this might be how the Kings came out of the gate, as has been the trend in back-to-backs. The Kings were outscored 27-16 in the first quarter. The Kings would need to pick up the intensity or this game would be over by halftime.

In the second quarter, the Kings offense came alive more than in the first. However, it was insufficient to stop the Nuggets from building on the first-quarter lead. The Nuggets would outscore the Kings in the second quarter 26-25 to build on the first-quarter lead. The Nuggets would lead going into halftime 53-41. The Kings played an abysmal first half that saw them turn the ball over 11 times.

The Kings managed to keep it from turning into a first-half blowout, but they would need a big energy shift in the second half if they wanted a shot to win the game. Fox led the way for the Kings in the first half with 12 points. However, it was an inefficient 12 points on 4-12 from the field. Aaron Gordon led the way with 14 first-half points for the Nuggets.

In the third quarter, the Kings showed some real heart. The Kings battled in the third to outscore the Nuggets 30-21. The Kings defense improved much in the quarter, but that wa sn’t the only reason the result improved. The Kings had zero turnovers in the third quarter, which propelled them forward. The Kings would trail in the game 74-71 heading into the final quarter of action.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings continued to show grit in what otherwise looked like a game over at halftime. The Kings managed to battle back to a tie game at 82 with 6:50 left. A game that started with the Kings looking like they had thrown in the towel turned into a dogfight. The Kings and Nuggets traded baskets as the fourth quarter was nearing the end.

The Kings, thanks to 17 points from Fox in the fourth quarter, would emerge victorious 102-98 over the Nuggets. It was an impressive turnaround on the second night of a back-to-back. Fox led the way for the Kings with 30 points. Sabonis had a 20-point 13 rebound double-double in the win. Aaron Gordon led the way for the Nuggets with 25 points in defeat.

Up Next: The Kings will take an eight-day break for the NBA All-Star weekend. The Kings will return to action on February 22nd at home against the San Antonio Spurs.