What we learned in Kings' thrilling comeback win vs. Pelicans

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Big win in the Big Easy. 

De’Aaron Fox put on an absolute show Monday night in New Orleans. Sacramento’s starting point guard threw the team on his back and carried the Kings to a stunning 118-109 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Brandon Ingram put up 20 for the Pelicans and Zion Williamson was solid, but Fox stole the night, outscoring the Pelicans single-handedly in the fourth quarter.

Here are three takeaways as the Kings surged late to improve their record to 8-11 on the season.

Crazy like a Fox

Fox loves to play against Lonzo Ball. Whether it was during their time at the NCAA level or in the NBA, Fox seems to have a little extra for the guard who was taken two spots ahead of him in the 2017 NBA Draft.

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Monday night in New Orleans, Fox was at it again. He ran circles around the Pelicans' backcourt, posting 38 points, 12 assists and four rebounds in the win. 

Fox is rolling. This was his 14th game scoring over 20 points this season and he’s averaging 26.2 points per game over his last 10 outings. He needs to cut down on the turnovers, but Fox is taking another leap.

On Barnes' back

Harrison Barnes is one of those players that senses what his team needs and then goes to work. In the third quarter, with the Kings stalling out offensively, the small forward went off for 14 points to keep Sacramento in the game. 

Once he established the drive, Barnes started bombing away from the perimeter, hitting 5-of-9 from long range on the night. 

In a highly competitive game, Barnes finished with 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists a steal and a block. The veteran is having his best season in a Kings uniform and he put the team on his back for a stretch in this one. 

To the showers

The Kings are used to some questionable officiating, including the lopsided 26-11 free throw disparity Saturday against the Heat. But Marvin Bagley’s early exit for a second technical was something else. 

Bagley received an early technical for saying something to the officials, but the second one was questionable to say the least. He made a demonstrative move in complaint of the call, but that’s about the quickest whistle you’ll find.

Bagley was playing well at the time he was tossed. He finished with 10 points on 5-for-12 shooting and added four rebounds.
 

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