Utah Jazz at Sacramento Kings
· National Basketball AssociationKevin Huerter hits late 3-pointer, Kings beat Jazz 126-125
“You can mistake some of these regular-season games for playoffs just with the energy they bring," Kings coach Mike Brown said after the game.
Huerter scored a career-high 30 points to help Sacramento improve to 19-15, with Brown returning after missing the past two games because of COVID-19. Domantas Sabonis had 28 points on 12-for-12 shooting along with 11 rebounds and eight assists, and De’Aaron Fox had 24 points and 10 assists.
“I feel like he’s been doing that all year," Sabonis said about Fox. "That’s what he does. He’s been clutch for us all year. He can get any shot that he wants, and he’s been making the right read every time.”
Markkanen scored 36 points for Utah (19-19). Jordan Clarkson had 25 points and nine assists, and Mike Conley scored 17 points.
“He's a matchup nightmare,” Kelly Olynyk said about Markkanen. “He's shooting the ball unbelievably the whole season really ... He's tough to guard. You can't take away one thing.”
The Jazz took their first lead of the game at 94-91 with 10:13 left in the fourth quarter on a 3 by Conley. There were 12 lead changes.
“Tough finish,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “Our guys hung in all game and battled. …to be able to come back late and take the lead, showed a lot of resolve from our group.”
TIP-INS
Jazz: The Jazz dropped to .500 for the first time this season. … Utah is 7-14 on the road.
Kings: KZ Okpala received a flagrant foul after kneeing Walker Kessler in the stomach on a drive to the basket in the first half. ...Fox scored 10 points or more in the 4th quarter for the fourth straight game.
UP NEXT
Jazz: Host Miami on Saturday night
Kings: At Memphis on Sunday night.
Regular Season Series
SAC leads series 1-0
Recent Plays
| 4th 0.0 |  |
End of Game | 125 - 126 |
| 4th 0.0 | |
End of the 4th Quarter | 125 - 126 |
| 4th 0.1 |  |
Kevin Huerter enters the game for Davion Mitchell | 125 - 126 |
| 4th 0.1 | |
Kings Full timeout | 125 - 126 |
| 4th 0.1 | |
Kings defensive team rebound | 125 - 126 |
Statistics
 UTAH |
 SAC |
|
|---|---|---|
| 46-84 | FG | 50-90 |
| 55 | Field Goal % | 56 |
| 8-32 | 3PT | 12-30 |
| 25 | Three Point % | 40 |
| 25-30 | FT | 14-19 |
| 83 | Free Throw % | 74 |
| 37 | Rebounds | 38 |
| 7 | Offensive Rebounds | 10 |
| 30 | Defensive Rebounds | 28 |
| 30 | Assists | 32 |
| 7 | Steals | 5 |
| 2 | Blocks | 3 |
| 13 | Turnovers | 15 |
| 0 | Team Turnovers | 0 |
| 13 | Total Turnovers | 15 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 1 |
| 18 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 18 |
| 8 | Fast Break Points | 13 |
| 70 | Points in Paint | 68 |
| 20 | Fouls | 21 |
| 3 | Largest Lead | 10 |
Sacramento Kings Injuries
| NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Zach LaVine, G | Out | Dec 29 |
| Keegan Murray, F | Out | Dec 29 |
| Domantas Sabonis, F | Out | Dec 19 |
Utah Jazz Injuries
| NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Georges Niang, F | Out | Dec 29 |
| Keyonte George, G | Day-To-Day | Dec 29 |
| Kevin Love, F | Out | Dec 29 |
| Ace Bailey, G | Out | Dec 29 |
| Walker Kessler, C | Out | Nov 5 |
Game Information
Location: Sacramento, CA
Attendance: 17,946 · Capacity:
2025-26 Northwest Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Oklahoma City |
28 | 5 | .848 | - | W2 |
 Denver |
22 | 10 | .688 | 5.5 | L2 |
 Minnesota |
21 | 12 | .636 | 7 | W1 |
 Portland |
13 | 19 | .406 | 14.5 | W1 |
 Utah |
12 | 19 | .387 | 15 | W2 |
2025-26 Pacific Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 LA Lakers |
20 | 10 | .667 | - | W1 |
 Phoenix |
19 | 13 | .594 | 2 | W4 |
 Golden State |
17 | 16 | .515 | 4.5 | W1 |
 LA Clippers |
10 | 21 | .323 | 10.5 | W4 |
 Sacramento |
8 | 24 | .250 | 13 | L1 |
NBA News
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— Jarrett Allen had 27 points and 10 rebounds and the Cleveland Cavaliers held on to beat Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs 113-101 on Monday night.
Brunson's double-double helps the Knicks outlast Zion Williamson and the Pelicans, 130-125
— Jalen Brunson capped a 28-point, 10-assist performance with a driving floater and a layup in the final 1:06, and the New York Knicks surged in front late to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 130-125 on Monday night.