Nuggets 123-117: Sacramento shows its teeth in unexpected Jokic confrontation, Vezenkov positive

The Sacramento Kings are not kidding, and they showed that very clearly in the match against the Denver Nuggets, where they won 123-117, and took control a few minutes after the start of the second half and did not let them go again.

De’Aaron Fox led Mike Brown’s team with 26 points and 16 assists. Malik Monk was also a catalyst, scoring another 26 points, while Domantas Sabonis was also good, with 17 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists. The writing samples of Sasha Vezenkov, who was a member of the five that outplayed the hosts, giving good momentum, were also very positive.

On the losing side, Nikola Jokic did a great job, posting a triple-double with 36 points, 13 rebounds and 14 assists, but he didn’t get the help he needed from his teammates.

Somehow, the Kings improved their record to 11-7 (6-2 at home, 5-5 on the road), while the Nuggets are now 14-67 (9-0 at home, 5-7 on the road).

The Kings’ next opponent is the New Orleans Pelicans (early Tuesday 5/12 at 5:00), in the quarterfinals of the season tournament on the back of the Final Four in Las Vegas (7-9/12).

Sasha Vezenkov’s account

Sasha crossed the floor 3’04 before halftime, with the Kings trailing -5 (16-21). With his three-pointer in the 14th minute, the tie came (32-32), while with one shot Sacramento then took the lead. In the remaining 9’41” on the floor until the end of the first half, the Bulgarian forward recorded 4 (0/2 2-pointers, 1/1 3-pointers, 1/3 shots) and 3 rebounds. In the approximately 4:30 minutes he played in the second half, he did not Adds nothing to his stats.

• 4 points
• 0/2 points
• 1/1 three points
• 1/3 shot
• 3 follow-ups
• 1 error
• +14 to +-
• At 14’08”

Dodecalypta: 25-30, 64-50, 88-78, 123-117

Sacramento Kings (Mike Brown): Barnes 11 (1), Murray 8 (2/5 threes, 5 rebounds), Sabonis 17 (1/3 threes, 15 rebounds, 7 assists), Herter 16 (4/6 threes, 6 rebounds) . Fox 26 (3/6 threes, 4 rebounds, 16 assists, 3 steals), Monk 26 (4/7 threes, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals), Ellis, Lyles 7, Vezenkov 4, McGee 8 (4 follow-ups).

Denver Nuggets (Mike Malone): Porter 13 (8 rebounds), Gordon 17 (7 rebounds), Jokic 36 (12/19 2-pointers, 1/4 3-pointers, 9/12 shooting, 13 rebounds, 14 assists, 2 steals). Caldwell-Pope 9 (5 rebounds, 4 steals, 4 turnovers), Jackson 20 (2/6 3-pointers, 8 assists), Brown 11 (1), Strother 3, Watson 4, Jordan 4, Holiday.

Sacramento Kings team statistics: 32/65 2-pointers, 16/34 3-pointers, 11/15 steals, 47 rebounds, 33 assists, 11 turnovers, 7 steals, 5 blocks, 14 turnovers

Denver Nuggets statistics: 43/74 2-pointers, 6/25 3-pointers, 13/20 steals, 46 rebounds, 35 assists, 11 turnovers, 9 steals, 7 blocks, 14 turnovers