January 17, 2024 - BY Admin

Kings blow 22-point 4th-quarter lead in meltdown vs. Suns

Phoenix's Josh Okogie started the rally with a layup in traffic with 8:09 remaining. That sparked a 7-0 Suns run the Kings quelled with a Keegan Murray 3-pointer to extend their lead back to 112-94 with 6:14 remaining.


Then the heart of the comeback really began. Phoenix ripped off a 15-1 run capped by a Kevin Durant transition 3-pointer that brought the Suns within 113-109 with 2:33 remaining. From there it was game on.


The Suns tied the game at 115-115 on an Eric Gordon 3-pointer with 43.7 seconds remaining.


They then took a 117-115 lead on a pair of Durant free throws. Fox tied the game on the other end with a floater with 19 seconds remaining. But Fox fouled Durant with 1.1 seconds remaining to put him on the line for the game-winning free throws.


Durant calmly sunk both to secure the 119-117 win. He finished the night with 27 points, five rebounds and four assists. Grayson Allen led the Suns with 29 points, six assists and five rebounds. Devin Booker added 16 points and 11 assists while struggling from the field in a 5-of-14 effort.


The Suns shot 17 of 37 (45.9%) from 3-point distance including seven made 3s in the fourth quarter. Fox led Sacramento with 33 points and six assists, an individual effort that will surely give him little solace. The loss dropped the Kings to 23-17.


It's the kind of game that could change the trajectory of the season for either team. How the Suns and the Kings respond moving forward will be worth watching.