What we learned as the Kings’ 3-point shooting finally comes alive in the win

What we learned as the Kings’ 3-point shooting finally comes alive in the win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

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SACRAMENTO – For the first time in a long time, the Sacramento Kings looked like … the Sacramento Kings in Wednesday’s 127-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns at Golden 1 Center.

The Kings’ identity over the past two seasons has been one of their biggest concerns early to begin the 2024-25 NBA season. They are ranked 30th – or last – in 3-point shooting across the NBA.

But they redeemed themselves on Wednesday, and pretty much everyone contributed.

De’Aaron Fox had a game-high 29 points with six rebounds and 10 assists. Kevin Huerter finished with a season-high 22 points. Keegan Murray added 17 and Domantas Sabonis was one assist shy of another triple-double.

DeMar DeRozan was ruled out in the second half with lower back tightness, but since he’s put this team on his back so often already this season, the team returned the favor Wednesday night.

The Suns were without their stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, playing the second of a back-to-back, but hey, the Kings will take it.

Here are the takeaways from the win.

Trey’s trees are falling

Trey Lyles, who suffered a left groin strain during an offseason practice and missed all of training camp and the preseason, has gotten off to a rough start this season.

The 29-year-old, who shot 38.4 percent from beyond the arc during the 2023-24 season, entered Wednesday’s contest shooting just 24.3 percent from downtown through 11 games this season.

Lyles’ first attempt Wednesday night came two minutes after he checked into the opening quarter, knocking down a 24-foot trey. He then made two more in the second quarter within two minutes.

After sinking the third, loud cheers erupted from the Golden 1 Center crowd – a symbol of the joy and relief that all signs point to Lyles being on the rise.

Lyles looked more aggressive on both ends of the floor, finishing with 13 points, five rebounds and three assists

Without Malik Monk and with concerns about the team’s depth, Lyles will be a key piece to Sacramento’s success now more than ever.

Patience, faith pays off

Sacramento entered the game dead last in team 3-point shooting among all 30 teams.

Yes, the same Kings team that boasted a historic offense just two seasons ago that thrived on DHOs, pace and elite shooting.

Over the last four games, the Kings shot 28.6, 11.5, 29.7 and 26.3 percent from deep, respectively, resulting in two wins and two losses.

It’s no secret that Sacramento needs and relies heavily on its 3-ball, and despite the early results, coach Mike Brown and the Kings maintained the utmost faith that the shots would eventually fall.

Wednesday night they did.

The Kings player with the most 3s was… do-it-all Domantas Sabonis, who shot a perfect 3 of 3 from beyond the arc. Lyles and Murray also each made three 3s on five attempts, respectively.

Kevin Huerter added a pair of treys and Fox, Keon Ellis, Jordan McLaughlin and Colby Jones each contributed one.

Sacramento shot a season-best 53.6 percent from beyond the arc.

Keeping it down for DeMar

DeRozan played 17 first-half minutes before sitting out the final two quarters.

The six-time NBA All-Star was ruled out for the rest of the competition with lower back tightness, missing a significant amount of action for the first time with his new team this season.

The 35-year-old, 16-year vet is averaging 38.2 minutes this season — setting a career high in his fifth year in the league.

He is known for not just being one of the best scorers in the league, but one of the most reliable. It takes a lot to sit the star out, so hopefully for the Kings it’s not too serious moving forward.

But the rest of his Kings teammates, playing a half without DeRozan for the first time, kept things down in his absence.

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