SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Zach LaVine had one for the ages on Monday night, scoring a season-high 42 points and leading the Sacramento Kings to a commanding 130-88 victory over the Charlotte Hornets at Golden 1 Center. LaVine's performance not only marked his best game since joining the Kings from the Chicago Bulls earlier this month but also showcased his extraordinary shooting efficiency and musical chemistry with his teammates.
LaVine's stunning display included hitting eight three-pointers, completing 16 of 19 overall shots, and securing three rebounds. This performance was pivotal for the Kings, who snapped their two-game losing streak and improved their record to 29-28 this season, placing them firmly in the hunt for the final play-in spot within the competitive Western Conference.
"I was just waiting. It took long enough,” said DeMar DeRozan, who played alongside LaVine during their time with the Bulls and enjoyed watching his resurgence. DeRozan contributed 18 points and seven rebounds to the Kings’ effort.
The game started with some intensity, as the Hornets managed to surprise Sacramento early, netting some quick points. Miles Bridges led Charlotte with 23 points, showcasing the team’s effort amid their challenging season. Despite showing poise initially, the Hornets quickly fell behind, losing their rhythm as the Kings took control.
LaVine kicked off his scoring spree after struggling initially, going scoreless for over six minutes before rattling off ten consecutive points. By the end of the first quarter, the Kings had pulled away for a 34-23 lead.
"For me everything is just timing, rhythm and comfortability,” LaVine explained postgame. “Deebo’s been telling me to be yourself for the longest. Obviously I’m coming in trying to figure out where I’m at, what to do. But the more I get familiar, I’m starting to get it.”
With this performance, LaVine also made history, becoming the first player to ever record 42 or more points with eight three-pointers and shooting over 84% from the field, according to Stathead.
The Kings’ success on this night came from collective teamwork, with Malik Monk notching 13 points alongside ten assists, effectively distributing the basketball. Domantas Sabonis, though he scored only seven points, led all players with ten rebounds and dished out seven assists, proving his versatility and presence on the court.
Recovering from a devastating loss against the Golden State Warriors the previous week, Sacramento needed this win to bolster their confidence as they look to stabilize their playoff positioning. Interim head coach Doug Christie expressed his satisfaction with LaVine’s performance and the overall cohesiveness of the team.
"We need him to be himself so we can figure out how to best support him,” Christie commented, emphasizing the importance of LaVine embracing his role.
Charlotte, on the other hand, continued to struggle, now suffering their second straight loss by more than 40 points, following their defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers just two days prior. They now have only 14 wins all season, significantly hampering their chances at postseason play.
LaMelo Ball contributed 13 points and eight assists for the Hornets but could not manage to rally his team effectively. Meanwhile, Nick Smith Jr. matched Ball's points total of 13, along with Jusuf Nurkic and Moussa Diabate adding 12 each, yet their collective efforts fell short against the formidable Kings.
This game highlighted Sacramento’s potential, especially with LaVine finding his rhythm alongside DeRozan and Sabonis. The Kings are eyeing their next matchup against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, hoping to continue their winning momentum and improve their standings within the Western Conference.
A reinforcement of both LaVine’s individual prowess and the Kings’ overall strategy was on full display, promising exciting times as the NBA season approaches its climax. If LaVine can maintain this level of play, Sacramento might just have found their go-to scorer at the right time.