Raptors Third-Quarter Surge Sinks Kings In Sacramento Clash

The Toronto Raptors stormed out of halftime and never looked back, toppling the Sacramento Kings 122-109 on January 21, 2026, at Golden 1 Center. It was a tale of two halves in Sacramento: the Kings looked poised and confident through the opening 24 minutes, but the Raptors’ third-quarter eruption left the home crowd stunned and the visitors celebrating a pivotal win in their impressive season.

Coming into the matchup, the Raptors boasted one of the NBA’s most surprising records at 26-19, while the Kings, mired in a tough campaign at 12-33, were searching for answers and momentum. Early on, Sacramento gave its fans reason to hope. The Kings led 61-52 at halftime, riding strong shooting and energetic play from the likes of Zach LaVine and Malik Monk. LaVine poured in 10 points in the opening period, and Monk was perfect from the field in the first half, going 5-for-5—including three makes from deep—and tallying 13 points in just 14 minutes off the bench. According to Sactown Sports, “Monk was a microwave scorer for Sacramento during the first half, shooting a perfect five-of-five from the field (three-of-three from downtown) as the Kings turned the tables and took a nine-point lead into the break.”

But the third quarter? That’s where everything changed. The Raptors, who entered the game with the league’s sixth-best defensive rating, put on an offensive clinic and tightened the screws defensively. Toronto outscored Sacramento 43-21 in the third, shooting a blistering 73% from the field and 66% from beyond the arc. Scottie Barnes was the engine behind the surge, dropping 14 of his game-high 23 points in the period. The Raptors’ barrage turned a nine-point deficit into a 13-point lead heading into the final frame.

“Barnes, Raptors heat up in third quarter to beat Kings 122-109,” ESPN reported, capturing the essence of Toronto’s game-changing run. The Kings, who have struggled all season when trailing after three quarters (now 2-27 in such situations), simply couldn’t recover. Sacramento mounted a 13-2 run late in the fourth to cut the deficit to single digits, but the Raptors quickly slammed the door, regaining control and coasting to a double-digit victory.

The box score told the story of a balanced Raptors attack: one player contributed 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists; another added 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists; and several others chipped in with double-digit scoring and crucial rebounding. Toronto shot 46% from the field, 39% from three-point range, and an impressive 92% from the free-throw line. Their offensive efficiency was matched by opportunistic defense, as the Raptors forced 16 Kings turnovers and converted them into 25 points.

For Sacramento, it was another night of what-ifs and missed opportunities. Russell Westbrook led the way with 23 points, marking his fourth consecutive game with at least 20 points—a feat celebrated by the Kings organization with video tributes and a trading card giveaway. “Extremely grateful for the Kings organization,” Westbrook said of the honor. “I will never forget this particular day and moment, so I’m grateful for that.”

Malik Monk finished with 17 points off the bench, Dennis Schroder added 16, and Zach LaVine played 38 minutes to tally 19 points. But the real bright spot for Sacramento was rookie center Dylan Cardwell. The undrafted big man out of Auburn delivered a career night, grabbing 13 rebounds (his 11th straight game with at least six boards), swatting four shots, and picking up a steal in 25 minutes. Sactown Sports highlighted Cardwell’s effort: “Cardwell, an undrafted free agent out of Auburn, posted his 11th-straight game with six or more boards, joining fellow rookie center Maxime Raynaud as the first Kings rookie bigs since DeMarcus Cousins to collect 6+ rebounds in 10 or more consecutive contests.” Cardwell also became just the fifth Kings rookie in the Sacramento era to finish a game with at least 13 rebounds and four blocks, joining an elite group that includes Lionel Simmons, Brian Grant, Michael Stewart, and Jason Thompson.

Maxime Raynaud, another rookie, started and played 22 minutes, contributing 8 points and 7 rebounds. Precious Achiuwa chipped in with 11 points and 8 rebounds in 21 minutes as the Kings’ young frontcourt showed flashes of promise despite the loss. However, Sacramento sorely missed the presence of star center Domantas Sabonis, who was sidelined due to left knee injury management. Head coach Doug Christie has been cautious with Sabonis’ minutes since his recent return from injury, and his absence was felt on both ends of the floor.

The Kings’ defensive struggles in the second half were compounded by their inability to take care of the basketball. Their 16 turnovers led directly to 25 Toronto points, a margin that proved insurmountable. Sacramento shot 47% from the field overall but just 27% from three-point range, and their hot first-half shooting cooled dramatically as the Raptors ramped up the pressure.

Adding to the Kings’ woes, forward Keegan Murray was ruled out for the next 1-2 weeks with a moderate left ankle sprain, further depleting an already thin rotation. With the loss, Sacramento’s record dropped to 12-33, and the team maintained its 2.5-game gap over the New Orleans Pelicans for the league’s worst record—a fact not lost on fans keeping an eye on the upcoming draft and the fate of the Kings’ 2026 first-round pick, which will go to the Atlanta Hawks if it falls outside the top four.

The night wasn’t without some star power in the stands. Former NFL quarterback and current Stanford football general manager Andrew Luck, along with three-time Olympic gold medalist Keri Walsh Jennings, sat courtside with Kings owner Vivek Ranadive. Walsh Jennings and Ranadive are co-founders of Major League Volleyball, a new professional women’s league launching this month, adding a unique off-court highlight to the evening’s festivities.

As the final buzzer sounded, the Raptors continued to cement their status as one of the NBA’s most intriguing stories this season, while the Kings were left to regroup and look ahead. Sacramento now embarks on a daunting six-game road trip, beginning with a visit to the Cleveland Cavaliers—last year’s Eastern Conference leaders—on January 23. For the Beam Team, the search for consistency and a spark continues, while Toronto’s balanced attack and defensive tenacity keep them firmly in the playoff hunt.