What we have learned as the new Kings duo of Fox and DeRozan ensures the first win of the season

What we learned as new Kings duo Fox and DeRozan score first win of season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX score

SACRAMENTO – De'Aaron Fox scored 24 points, becoming the fifth player in Kings franchise history to reach the 10,000-point mark, and Sacramento picked up its first win of the 2024-25 NBA season after completing the Portland defeated Trail Blazers 111-98 on Monday night.

DeMar DeRozan added 23 points, three assists and three steals as the Kings lit the rafters at the Golden 1 Center for the first time this season. Domantas Sabonis had another double-double – his 355th^Th of his career – with 16 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Kevin Huerter scored 18 and Malik Monk scored twelve.

The Kings led from start to finish, showing much more muscle and physicality than in their preseason loss to the Blazers two weeks ago.

Sabonis provided an early spark and attacked the rim effectively while helping Sacramento build an early lead, but it was Fox's night to celebrate.

The veteran point guard — who posted double-doubles in each of Sacramento's first two games — shot 9 of 20 from the floor and scored his milestone points in the third quarter. Fox joins Oscar Robertson, Jack Twyman, Mitch Richmond and Tiny Archibald as the only players in Kings history with 10,000 points or more.

While Fox did his thing, the other kings took care of the little details. Sacramento grabbed 47 rebounds and dished out 25 assists.

The only real problem for Kings coach Mike Brown has to be how poorly his team played and defended the post. Sacramento had done a good job in losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers, but didn't have the same success against Portland, being outscored 52-28.

Now it's on to Utah, where the Kings want to get their first away win on Tuesday against the Jazz.

Here are the takeaways from Monday's game:

Get to the border

DeRozan's ability to attack the rim and make contact was clearly a factor in the Kings signing him in the offseason, and we can see why.

After making 50 of 60 free throw attempts in the first two games, Sacramento did a good job again on Monday against Portland and managed to get to the line. The Kings finished the game making 23 of 25 shots, with DeRozan leading the way with 9 of 10 free throws.

Sacramento entered the night leading the NBA in free throw percentage and now has an 85.8 percent success rate.

Another game, another big run for the opponent

In each of their first three games, the Kings allowed their opponents big runs that changed the dynamic of the contest. Monday's affair with the Blazers was no different.

Sacramento built a seemingly comfortable 10-point lead midway through the first quarter and then allowed Portland to cut the deficit to one point after a 19-19 run.

It's a worrying pattern that needs to be addressed soon. The Kings were down 20-7 at one point in their season-opening loss to the Timberwolves, then were beaten 21-0 by the Lakers last Saturday.

Good challenge

The Kings caught a break in the second quarter when Brown called for a foul on Monk while Sacramento sixth man Jerami Grant was defending.

In replays, Monk's left hand appeared to make contact with Grant's forearm as the Portland striker went upfield, but the officials ruled it was a legal play with the ball and the decision was therefore overturned.

It's Brown's third successful challenge in four attempts this season. In the 2023-24 season, Brown had a Challenge record of .500 (28-28).

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