SACRAMENTO -- And then it was eight. The Sacramento Kings can’t stop the skid. After dropping the last seven, the Kings looked exhausted against the Denver Nuggets Saturday night at Golden 1 Center, falling by a final of 105-92.
Gary Harris got loose. The veteran shooting guard torched the Kings for 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting to lead the Nuggets.
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With Harris bombing away from long range, big man Nikola Jokic put in solid work down low, finishing the night with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Mason Plumlee stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Danilo Gallinari added 15 points and Jamal Murray chipped in 14 points in the win.
Buddy Hield picked up his second straight start and responded with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting and grabbed six rebounds. The rookie shooting guard has scored in double-figures in all but one of his nine games in a Kings uniform.
Tyreke Evans went into attack mode, scoring 16 points on 2-for-5 shooting from long range. He‘s still working on regaining his explosion, but the former Rookie of the Year is still a load in the open court.
NBA
The starting frontcourt did damage for Sacramento. Kosta Koufos started at center and nearly picked up another double-double, finishing with 10 points and eight rebounds. Willie Cauley-Stein struggled from the field, but still managed to post 13 points, grab five rebounds and dish out five assists.
Skal Labissiere energized the crowd with a couple of huge dunks. He struggled from the free throw line, but still managed to score seven points and grab five rebounds in 19 minutes of action.
STANDOUT PERFORMER
Harris took Hield to school. The third-year pro found ways to get open all night long, lighting the rookie up from long range and off the dribble.
TURNING POINT
The Kings hung around for much of the fourth, but Danilo Gallinari dropped in a 3-ball with 4:45 remaining to give the Nuggets a 93-81 lead which sealed the deal.
INJURY UPDATE
Rookie Malachi Richardson is out 4-6 weeks with a right hamstring thickness tear. Rudy Gay is out for the year with a torn left Achilles.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Kings finish their three game homestand Monday night when the Orlando Magic swing by Golden 1 Center. Following the Orlando game, Sacramento hits the road for a three game trip beginning Wednesday in Phoenix.