In a season full of standout performances, Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox continues to raise the bar. Just one night after a franchise-record 60-point explosion, Fox poured in 49 more to lead the Kings to a thrilling 121-117 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night.
A Historic Scoring Binge
Fox’s back-to-back masterpieces put him in elite company. He became only the second player in Kings history to score 100+ points over a two-game span, joining DeMarcus Cousins who accomplished the feat in 2016. More impressively, Fox is just the third player in NBA history to tally at least 109 points over two days, alongside legends Kobe Bryant and Wilt Chamberlain.
Nobody can stop him from getting to his spots when he wants to. He’s feeling that. Not only is he feeling that, but he’s showing that.
– Kings coach Mike Brown on De’Aaron Fox’s scoring prowess
Efficiency at All Three Levels
What makes Fox’s scoring binge so impressive is his efficiency from all areas of the court. Against the Jazz, the lightning-quick guard shot a scorching 16-of-30 from the field, including 3-of-8 from beyond the arc. He also displayed his aggressiveness in getting to the free throw line, converting 14-of-16 attempts.
This well-rounded scoring attack was on full display the previous night against Minnesota, where Fox went 22-of-35 from the floor with six 3-pointers and a perfect 10-of-10 from the charity stripe for his career-high 60 points.
Being able to get downhill and touching the paint has worked wonders. Whenever you are able to do that, you’re able to one, get to the rim, two, get to the free throw line and three, you’re able to still create for teammates.
– De’Aaron Fox on his scoring approach
Stepping Up in Teammates’ Absence
Fox’s scoring outburst couldn’t have come at a better time for the Kings, who were missing key contributors DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk against the Jazz. Rather than trying to single-handedly make up for the lost firepower, Fox focused on playing his game and trusting his strengths.
When you have guys of his caliber… they get to their spots when they want to. The biggest difference between those guys and the other pretty good players is that they do it consistently. So no, I didn’t have to say anything to Fox. He knew… he had to carry us.
– Coach Mike Brown on not having to tell Fox to take over
Leading the Kings’ Playoff Push
Fox’s heroics have the Kings sitting at ___ in the loaded Western Conference standings with a record of ___. As Sacramento looks to snap a 16-year playoff drought, the longest active streak in the NBA, they’ll continue to lean heavily on their dynamic 24-year-old floor general.
If Fox maintains this level of play, not only will the Kings be a feared opponent come playoff time, but the young star could also find himself in the thick of the NBA MVP conversation. While individual accolades are secondary to team success in Fox’s mind, there’s no denying the rarefied air he’s in right now, performing feats only matched by some of the game’s all-time greats.
As the season marches on, all eyes will be on De’Aaron Fox to see just how far he can carry the resurgent Kings. If his last two games are any indication, the sky’s the limit for both the player and his team. Buckle up, NBA fans, Fox is just getting started.
