DeRozan drops a season-high 41 points and 11 assists, propelling the Kings to another crucial win and climbing NBA history's scoring ranks.
The Sacramento Kings defeated the Utah Jazz 116-111 Sunday evening, giving them their fourth victory in the past five games. The victory also marked back-to-back wins for Sacramento for just the fourth time this season, moving the Kings to 18-51 on the year.
Six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan shined offensively, scoring a season-high 41 points and adding 11 dimes. DeRozan joins Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden as the only players in NBA history to record 40 or more points and 10 or more assists in a game after turning 36 years of age.
DeRozan continues his climb up the NBA All-Time Scoring List, sitting less than 100 points behind Atlanta Hawks legend and Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins for the No. 17 spot.
Earlier this month, DeRozan exploded for 39 points against the Charlotte Hornets, passing Tim Duncan for No. 18 on the NBA's All-Time Scoring List.
DeRozan's accounted for 15 of Sacramento's 27 fourth quarter points, icing the game with high-percentage looks and efficiency at the free-throw line.
Head coach Doug Christie applauded DeRozan's performance following the game, giving him props for his consistency.
"He's like a comfy blanket. It doesn't surprise me and I continue to tell you guys that because being able to see him work and how he goes about his business... its the same thing [as the game]," Christie said.
Utah Jazz second-year guard Cody Williams answered with a career-high 34 points, shooting 60-percent from the field. Williams had a much-increased role due to eight members of the Jazz being unavailable Sunday night, including all five of their projected starters next season.
The Kings also got good production from their young guys, as Killian Hayes, Precious Achiuwa, Nique Clifford and Daeqwon Plowden combined for 56 points.
Achiuwa led the way with 20 points, adding 11 rebounds, two steals and a block. He was also active on the offensive glass, with each of his three offensive rebounds contributing to a second-chance bucket.
He has also been a main benefactor of DeRozan's recent rise in playmaking, which has really picked up since the NBA All-Star Break.
Following the game, Achiuwa was asked if he was more impressed with his teammate's season-high 41 points or eleven assists, to which he responded with no hesitation.
"11 assists, 100-percent. I've never seen him pass the ball that often," Achiuwa said.
Hayes, who signed a standard two-year NBA contract with Sacramento prior to Sunday's game, had his best game as a King, posting season-highs in minutes (38), points (16), 3-pointers made (4), assists (8), rebounds (5) and blocks (2).
Hayes earned his two-year deal after signing two ten-day contracts and appearing in ten games this season for the Kings. Thus far, he has racked up 41 assists while turning it over just 10 times. His 4.1 assist to turnover ratio ranks top-20 in the NBA, while accumulating a 28.2 assist percentage, according to Fox Sports.
The Kings are gaining momentum as the end of the season approaches, beginning to show continuity and chemistry among veterans and young talent.
Sacramento is back in action Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs at 10:00 p.m. ET.
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