DeMar DeRozan delivered a vintage performance Sunday night, scoring a season-high 41 points and handing out 11 assists to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 116–111 victory over the Utah Jazz.
DeRozan shot 11 of 21 from the field and reached the 40-point mark for the first time since Feb. 2, 2025. The six-time All-Star, who recently moved past Hall of Famer Tim Duncan for 18th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, also recorded the 417th game of his career with at least 20 points while shooting 50 percent or better.
Precious Achiuwa added 20 points and 11 rebounds for Sacramento, while Killian Hayes finished with 16 points and eight assists after signing a contract extension with the team earlier in the day. Nique Clifford and Daeqwon Plowden each chipped in 10 points as the Kings won for the fourth time in five games.
Utah was led by Cody Williams, who scored 34 points. Brice Sensabaugh added 22 points and Isaiah Collier contributed 21 for the Jazz.
Sacramento appeared to seize control late when Plowden knocked down his second 3-pointer of the night — after missing his first nine attempts — to give the Kings a 110–99 lead with 4:45 remaining.
The Jazz responded with a late push, cutting the deficit to 110–107 with about three minutes left after consecutive 3-pointers by Sensabaugh and Maurice Harkless. DeRozan helped close the door, sinking three free throws in the final four minutes, including one with 14.9 seconds left to seal the win.
Both teams entered the game short-handed in a matchup between the Western Conference’s two lowest-ranked teams. Utah had nine available players, while Sacramento dressed eight.
Williams, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, helped spark Utah early with 14 points in the first quarter. DeRozan kept Sacramento within striking distance, scoring eight points and recording four assists in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 54–49 at halftime.
Up next: The Utah Jazz face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, while the Sacramento Kings host the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.
