National Basketball Association
Washington 125, Sacramento 111
When: 10:00 PM ET, Friday, December 23, 2022
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
Officials: #24 Kevin Scott, #9 Natalie Sago, #91 Cheryl Flores
Attendance: 17894

Kyle Kuzma totaled a game-high 32 points and the road-weary Washington Wizards saved their best for last on a six-game trip, erupting for 40 second-quarter points en route to a 125-111 win over the Sacramento Kings on Friday night.

Bradley Beal chipped in with 24 points, Rui Hachimura had 21 off the bench and Kristaps Porzingis returned from an illness to snatch a team-high 13 rebounds, helping the Wizards salvage a 2-4 trip after having lost the first three.

Domantas Sabonis posted a 20-point, 15-rebound, 10-assist triple-double for the Kings, who have opened a six-game homestand with two losses in three outings.

Playing for the second consecutive night at the end of their 10-day trip, the Wizards watched as the hosts bolted out of the gate with 10 of the game's first 13 points.

But Washington steadied itself by period's end, grabbing a 28-27 lead, before seven different guys got into the scoring act in a 40-23 second-quarter flurry that broke the game open. Kuzma had nine of his 32 points in the period, while Hachimura contributed two 3-pointers among eight points.

Coming off an impressive 14-point home win over the Los Angeles Lakers, the Kings never made much of a game of it in the second half.

Kuzma's 30-point game was his fourth of the season. He shot 14-for-23 and also found time for nine rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Kuzma and Beal combined to make 24 of their 39 shots, helping the visitors scorch the nets to the tune of 55.7 percent shooting. The Kings checked in at 44 percent.

Monte Morris matched Kuzma's assist total while also adding 16 points and three steals to the cause. Porzingis had seven points and two blocks.

Sabonis' triple-double was his second in a row and third of the season. He has had 15 or more rebounds in four of his past five games.

De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 26 points, while Malik Monk had 16. Kevin Huerter and Trey Lyles went for 14 apiece, and Harrison Barnes scored 11.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Washington   Sacramento
Kyle Kuzma 32 Scoring De'Aaron Fox 26
Delon Wright 8 Assists Domantas Sabonis 10
Kristaps Porzingis 13 Rebounds Domantas Sabonis 15
Monte Morris 6 Free Throws Made Domantas Sabonis 10
Monte Morris 3 Steals Malik Monk 2
Daniel Gafford 2 Blocks De'Aaron Fox 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Washington 125 55.7 10-32 17-24 30 40 4 9 10
Sacramento 111 44.0 10-32 27-35 19 47 2 5 13
Upcoming Games
  • Sacramento will play their next game at home against Denver. The Kings have a W/L % of .556 after a win and .538 after a loss.
  • Washington will play their next game at home against Philadelphia. The Wizards have a W/L % of .417 after a win and .364 after a loss.