After dealing Fox, Kings eke out 116-114 road win over Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — DeMar DeRozan scored 33 points, and the Sacramento Kings edged the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-114 on Monday night after finalizing their trade for Zach LaVine.

Malik Monk had 26 points for the Kings, who closed out a 2-6 road trip. Keegan Murray added 19 points.

Sacramento traded De’Aaron Fox to San Antonio as part of a three-team trade that put LaVine on the Kings. LaVine likely will play in his first game with his new team on Wednesday.

Naz Reid led Minnesota with a season-high 30 points, including 16 in the first quarter. Jaden McDaniels added 22, and Anthony Edwards finished with 21 points.

Minnesota was without forward Julius Randle for the second straight game. Randle was sidelined with a groin injury.

After dealing Fox, Kings eke out 116-114 road win over Timberwolves | iNFOnews.ca
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) grabs a rebound as Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis, left, reacts after not receiving a foul call during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

After trailing by as many as 12, the Timberwolves managed to take a brief 91-90 lead early in the fourth quarter. But the Kings regained the lead, and they had an answer every time the Timberwolves made a push down the stretch.

Takeaways

Kings: With Fox gone, Monk stepped in at point guard. In addition to his 26 points, Monk finished with five assists and eight rebounds while controlling Sacramento’s offense. Monk hit a pair of big shots late in the fourth quarter, as well as four free throws in the final 17 seconds of the game.

Timberwolves: Minnesota didn’t rebound from its loss Saturday to the NBA-worst Washington Wizards, losing its second straight game to a team with an inferior record.

Key moment

After dealing Fox, Kings eke out 116-114 road win over Timberwolves | iNFOnews.ca
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts after a foul called on his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

DeRozan made a layup to put the Kings up 110-106 with just 30 seconds remaining.

Key stat

Minnesota shot 16 more 3-pointers than the Kings (40-24) but made just two more shot from deep (12) than Sacramento.

Up next

The Kings host Orlando on Wednesday, while Minnesota hosts Chicago on Wednesday.

After dealing Fox, Kings eke out 116-114 road win over Timberwolves | iNFOnews.ca
Sacramento Kings center Isaac Jones (17) works toward the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rob Dillingham (4) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
After dealing Fox, Kings eke out 116-114 road win over Timberwolves | iNFOnews.ca
Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie yells during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
After dealing Fox, Kings eke out 116-114 road win over Timberwolves | iNFOnews.ca
Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk, left, works toward the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
After dealing Fox, Kings eke out 116-114 road win over Timberwolves | iNFOnews.ca
Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) reacts after being called for a foul during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.