The Tribune

PHOENIX (AP) — De’Aaron Fox scored 27 points, Nemanja Bjelica 19, Buddy Hield added 16 and the Sacramento Kings rallied from a 21-point deficit in the third quarter to beat the Phoenix Suns 114-103 last night.

The Kings trailed 83-62 with 4:25 remaining in the third but recovered in a hurry, rallying to take a 92-91 lead on Bjelica’s dunk with about eight minutes left. The game was tight for the next several minutes but Fox hit a 3-pointer and then another jumper to push the Kings ahead 107-100 with 2:29 left.

The Kings — who have won three of their last four — got big contributions from bench players Dewayne Dedmon and Trevor Ariza. Dedmon finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds and Ariza — who played for Phoenix part of last season — added 15 points.

The Suns were led by Devin Booker, who scored 34 points and had seven assists. It was Booker’s seventh straight game with at least 30 points, which extends his franchise record.

Buddy Hield scored 16 points, including four three pointers, with two assists and three rebounds in 24 minutes. He also had three turnovers.

The performance didn’t stop the Suns from coughing up the big lead and losing their second straight game at home.

Deandre Ayton just missed his fourth straight double double with 21 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a block in 37 minutes. He also had two turnovers. Kelly Oubre Jr had 17 points.

The game was tied at 53 at halftime but the Suns started the second half on an 18-2 run and pushed their advantage to 21 points before settling for an 87-78 lead after three quarters.

The Kings were playing the second night of a back-to-back after beating the Warriors 111-98 on Monday.

TIP-INS

Kings: Forward Marvin Bagley III (left foot sprain), centre Richaun Holmes (right shoulder strain) and guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (right ankle soreness) didn’t play.

Because of the injuries, Harry Giles III made his first career start. He finished with eight points and eight rebounds. Fox led the Kings with 16 points in the first half.

Suns: Forward Dario Saric scored five points in 18 minutes. His role has been reduced since Ayton came back to the lineup, but coach Monty Williams said he wanted to get the 25-year-old more involved in the rotation.

Ayton scored 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting in the first half. He also had eight rebounds.

UP NEXT

Kings: Sacramento returns home to face the Bucks on Friday.

Suns: Phoenix hosts the Magic on Friday.