Fox, Barnes help Kings pull away to beat Wizards 119-105

Updated Dec. 16, 2021 12:41 a.m. ET

Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — De’Aaron Fox scored 28 points and the short-handed Sacramento Kings beat the slumping Washington Wizards 119-105 on Wednesday night.

Harrison Barnes added 19 points, 15 in a dominant fourth quarter when he had a pair of three-point plays and a 3-pointer to help Sacramento end a three-game losing streak. Tristan Thompson and Buddy Hield scored 15 points apiece.

The Kings were missing interim coach Alvin Gentry and players Marvin Bagley III and Terence Davis, all of whom were placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocols earlier in the day. Assistant Doug Christie coached the team in place of Gentry.

Bradley Beal had 30 points and five assists for Washington. The Wizards have dropped three straight and six of seven.

The Kings trailed 89-77 late in the third quarter and outscored the Wizards 42-16 after that.

Barnes provided the big spark for Sacramento after Fox went to the bench early in the fourth. Barnes scored 10 straight points, including a three-point play when he did a 360-degree turn, banked a shot in and was fouled by Raul Neto.

That pushed Sacramento’s lead to 105-96 and the Kings pulled away.

The loss continued a rough stretch for the Wizards. Washington is in the midst of its longest road trip of the season and wasn’t certain Kyle Kuzma would play after he was also entered into the protocols. Kuzma was cleared and scored six points in 33 minutes.

Beal shot the Wizards to an early nine-point lead, connecting on eight of his first 13 attempts including a pair of corner 3s.

Fox repeatedly attacked the basket to keep Sacramento close. The Kings point guard had 16 points in the first half and scored on a driving layup to cut the lead to 57-56.

TIP-INS

Wizards: Montrezl Harrell had eight points in the first quarter on 3-of-3 shooting. … Daniel Gafford grabbed his 500th career rebound in the third quarter.

Kings: With Davis out, rookie Davion Mitchell made his first start of the season as part of Sacramento’s three-guard lineup that included Fox and Tyrese Haliburton. Mitchell had 13 points and five assists. .. Richaun Holmes (right eye) did not play.

UP NEXT

Wizards: Play the second half of a back-to-back against the Suns in Phoenix on Thursday.

Kings: Face the Grizzlies on Friday at Golden 1 Center. Memphis has won four straight against Sacramento.

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