On Monday, the Sacramento Kings welcome the Milwaukee Bucks, who are in the middle of a three-game West Coast road trip. This matchup pits two of the NBA’s top teams against one another.
The Bucks, who are in first place in the Eastern Conference, won 19 of their previous 20 games entering their trip. Giannis Antetokounmpo, a former two-time MVP, was out against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, so another two-time MVP made the difference. Milwaukee was defeated 125-116 in overtime by Steph Curry of Golden State, who scored 36 points in a late burst.
The Bucks have lost three straight games since January 16. They lost consecutive games on January 12 and 14 before traveling to Sacramento on Monday.
Due in large part to Bobby Portis’ 33rd double-double of the season, which included 15 points and 13 rebounds, Milwaukee overcame a 13-point deficit in the second half to defeat Golden State in overtime. Adding 19 points, five assists, and four steals were Khris Middleton.
Middleton played 34 minutes and made 3 of 4 3-pointers, but Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer has been cautious with the three-time All-use Star’s after he missed 43 games due to injury.
“We’re working very hard to bring Khris back and keep him healthy. He wouldn’t play the entire five minutes of overtime, according to Budenholzer. “Overall, I believe his body is in good condition. We’re attempting to travel a lengthy path with him.
Antetokounmpo, who is second in the NBA in rebounding with 11.9 per game and is one of the league’s top scorers with 31.2, might make his three-game absence due to right hand soreness on Monday.
The Kings have won eight of their previous nine games, including two straight against teams that are eligible for the playoffs, coming into the game on Monday. Domantas Sabonis had a triple-double on Thursday, scoring 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists as Sacramento defeated the New York Knicks 122-117.
The NBA’s top rebounder at 12.3 per game, Sabonis recorded his ninth triple-double of the year on Thursday. His third triple-double following the All-Star break was this one.
On Saturday, Sabonis had eight rebounds and added 17 points to his previous performance. Four Kings players, including him, each had at least 17 points as Sacramento defeated the Phoenix Suns 128-119.
In Sacramento’s victory on the road, Harrison Barnes scored 19 points, while De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk each added 18.
“Winning is very helpful. Since I’ve been here and in the NBA, this team is probably the closest one,” Chimezie Metu of the Kings remarked.
From the bench, Metu had three steals and scored nine points.
Everybody feels great on nights like this when we win huge games, Metu continued. “A lot of people could participate tonight,”
Sacramento has risen to a tie with Memphis for the second-best record in the Western Conference and has attained 40 victories for the first time since 2006.
The teams’ first encounter since the Bucks’ 126-113 victory at Milwaukee on December 7 will take place on Monday.
In the contest, Antetokounmpo scored 35 points, and Jrue Holiday added 31. Six times this season, Holiday has scored 30 or more points, four of which have come since the year 2023 has begun.
