Renewed Kings outlast Wolves behind Domantas Sabonis' strong debut / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: USA TODAY Sports – Scanpix Credit USA TODAY Sports – Scanpix

Domantas Sabonis recorded 22 points and 14 rebounds in his Sacramento debut as the host Kings (21-36) avenged a blowout loss the day before with a 132-119 (29-37, 42-27, 28-37, 33-18) victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves (29-26) on Wednesday night.

Player of the Game EFF 36 Harrison Barnes Points 30 Accuracy 8-11 Rebounds 8 Assists 3

Acquired on Tuesday but unavailable when the Kings were drubbed 134-114 by the Timberwolves that night in the opener of a two-day, two-game sequence, Sabonis arrived in time to help Sacramento win for the third time in its past five games.

Jeremy Lamb and Justin Holiday, also acquired in the six-player trade with the Indiana Pacers, combined for 20 points and nine assists for Sacramento. The Kings avoided a season-series sweep with their first win in three tries against Minnesota this season.

D'Angelo Russell produced 29 points and 10 assists, Anthony Edwards scored 26 and Karl-Anthony Towns put up 21 points for the Timberwolves, whose five-game winning streak ended.

Unlike the set opener, when the Timberwolves gradually pulled away in the final 12 minutes, the teams battled through five ties and five lead changes in the fourth quarter, with Mitchell's dunk giving Sacramento the upper hand for good at 117-115.

De'Aaron Fox followed with a layup, Sabonis tipped in a Fox miss and Harrison Barnes sank a 3-pointer, putting Sacramento in command at 124-115 with 2:24 to go.

Sabonis, who arrived at a heavy price that included young star guard Tyrese Haliburton, posted his 35th double-double of the season. He shot 10-for-19, and his rebound total was a game-high.

One night after the Timberwolves dominated the boards to the tune of 49-38, Sabonis helped Sacramento turn the tables with a 51-34 advantage.

Making three 3-pointers, Lamb finished with 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two blocks, while Holiday complemented six points with four assists and two steals.

Barnes totaled a game-high 30 points, Fox 27 and Mitchell 18 to go with seven rebounds and a team-high seven assists. Chimezie Metu was a sixth King scoring in double figures with 13 points.

Jaden McDaniels added 13 for the Timberwolves, who were outshot 51.6 percent to 44.9 percent. Jarred Vanderbilt collected a team-high 11 rebounds along with eight points.

Minnesota led by as many as 13 points in the first quarter.

Kings: Harrison Barnes 30 (4/6 2PT, 4/5 3PT, 10/10 FT, 8 REB), De'Aaron Fox 27 (8/16 2PT, 2/4 3PT, 5/5 FT, 8 REB, 2 BLK), Domantas Sabonis 22 (10/18 2PT, 14 REB, 5 AST) Davion Mitchell 18 (4/6 2PT, 3/6 3PT, 7 REB, 7 AST), Jeremy Lamb 14 (3/8 3PT, 6 REB 5 AST), Chimezie Metu 13 (6/8 2PT, 5 REB).

Timberwolves: D'Angelo Russell 29 (4/7 2PT, 6/13 3PT, 10 AST, 4 TO), Anthony Edwards 26 (7/16 2PT, 3/9 3PT), Karl-Anthony Towns 21 (8/13 2PT, 7 REB, 8 AST Jaden McDaniels 13 (3/6 3PT).

Domantas Sabonis' performance

Full game highlights

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