Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis (11) is thrilled after scoring against the Brooklyn Nets in the second half at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Mon Jan 27, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

BROOKLYN, NY. — The Sacramento Kings snapped a two-game losing streak on Monday night with a 110-96 win over the Brooklyn Nets in the annual Chinese New Year celebration game at Barclays Center.

Kings guard De’Aaron Fox scored a team-leading 30 points and Kings center Domantas Sabonis scored 21 points and had 22 rebounds and 10 assists, notching his seventh triple-double this season.

The game was close throughout most of the first half but Sacramento trailed at halftime by seven points. When the Kings were down nine points with just over 10 minutes to go in the third quarter, Fox scored eight points and led his team on a 12-0 run.

“I think more than anything, when you get that aggressive Fox, it’s a special sight to behold. He can get down heel when he wants, he’s got the floater. All of a sudden the three ball starts to fall, he gets to the free throw line,” said Kings interim head coach Doug Christie.

“All those things, they add up. And even defensively when he’s engaged, like that physical presence, he’s a load to deal with and I was really happy to see it.”

After the break, Sacramento outscored Brooklyn 33-24 in the third and ended the quarter up 80-78. The Kings went on a 13-2 run and reached peak momentum when Keegan Murray made a triple to put them up 97-85 with just over six minutes to go in the fourth.

The Kings outscored the Nets 63-42 in the second half.

“There’s a lot for us to be happy with and there’s some things that we’ve still got to clean up with our consistency. But overall, we got out of here with a W and we continue to build and solidify our identity and that’s the most important thing,” Christie said.

“Winning is everything, but us solidifying who we are on a night-to-night basis so we know what we’re going to our arena with is paramount for us.”

Sabonis became the fifth player in Kings franchise history with 20 or more games with 20 rebounds.

“I’m just going out there trying to do my job,” said Sabonis. “As a big, you got to rebound you know, and then try to be involved on the offensive end, help my teammates.”

Brooklyn (14-33) had their losing streak extended to seven games – their worst since losing 11 straight in January to February 2022. They were without star Ben Simmons who has lower back soreness and has missed five games

The Kings (24-22) continue their road trip visiting the Philadelphia 76ers (17-27). Tip-off is at 4:30 p.m. PT.