Domantas Sabonis Scores 28 In Kings 126-125 Win Over Jazz
Kings Clinch Playoff Berth
Sabonis Continues Impressive Run
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Domantas Sabonis scored 28 points and grabbed 23 rebounds to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 126-125 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night, clinching a playoff berth for the first time since 2006.
Sabonis was 10-of-19 from the field and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line. He also had six assists and three blocks.
De'Aaron Fox added 26 points and seven assists for the Kings, who improved to 36-34 on the season. Kevin Huerter scored 19 points, Harrison Barnes had 17 points, and Trey Lyles came off the bench to score 16 points.
Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 36 points, followed by Jordan Clarkson's 19 points. Walker Kessler scored 17 points, and Collin Sexton added 16 points.
The Kings led by 12 points at halftime, but the Jazz rallied to tie the game in the third quarter. The Kings regained control in the fourth quarter, and held on for the win.
The Kings clinched a playoff berth thanks to the Memphis Grizzlies' loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier on Thursday night. The Kings will be the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference and will face the No. 2 seed Denver Nuggets in the first round.
Sabonis has been a key part of the Kings' success this season. He was acquired from the Indiana Pacers in a trade in February, and has averaged 18.9 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game since joining the Kings.
The Kings' playoff berth is their first since 2006, when they lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round.