SACRAMENTO, Calif. — De’Aaron Fox scored 29 points and the Sacramento Kings beat Milwaukee 129-94 Tuesday night for their first victory over the Bucks in more than eight years.
Sacramento had not beaten Milwaukee since February 1, 2016, with the 15-game losing streak being the longest active streak of any team.
“I thought defensively we did a great job,” Fox said. “I think that fueled our offense. Obviously we scored 130 points, but even though we didn’t play very well offensively, if we have even a subpar game, score 110, we’ll still win this match by 15. …I I think it’s one of the most complete games we’ve played this year.
This game was never in doubt. The Kings never trailed and led by double digits since midway through the second quarter and built their lead to 30 points in the fourth quarter.
Domantas Sabonis had 22 points and 11 rebounds, setting a Kings single-season record with his 47th consecutive double-double. Jerry Lucas established the brand in 1967-68.
“Night in and night out, he played a big role for us,” Fox said. “I think people are immune to it. No one outside of us talks about it. But it’s obviously a difficult thing to do and not many people have done it. He comes ready to play every night.
Malik Monk added 25 points coming off the bench.
The Kings have won three of four and trail Phoenix by just a half-game in the race for sixth place in the Western Conference.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points and 13 rebounds for the Bucks, who went 1/3 on a four-game California swing. Milwaukee shot 36.6% for the game and missed 32 of 39 from 3-point range.
“We earned it tonight,” coach Doc Rivers said. “It’s my fault. I didn’t prepare them mentally the way I should. During filming, the guys were talking about the planes taking off. As a crew, we talked about it after filming: if our concentration wasn’t is no better than this morning, it’s going to be a long day. And it was a long day. So it’s our responsibility.
Milwaukee’s only highlight was a reclamation dunk in the final minutes by rookie Andre Jackson Jr., whose header went over the edge of play.
The Kings started quickly offensively, hitting eight 3-pointers in the first quarter and building their lead from there. Sacramento shot 66% in the first half and opened a 20-point lead late in the second quarter on a Sabonis dunk.
The Kings led 75-56 at halftime and controlled the rest of the game.
Both teams were shorthanded, with Keegan Murray missing the game for Sacramento after spraining his left ankle Sunday in Houston and Khris Middleton missing his 15th straight game for Milwaukee with a sprained left ankle.
Rivers said Middleton has returned to practice and is getting closer to a return.
MarJon Beauchamp was also out for Milwaukee with back spasms and Sacramento’s Trey Lyles left in the second quarter with a left knee injury and did not return.
FOLLOWING
Bucks: Host Philadelphia on Thursday night.
Kings: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.
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