Fox, Kings gamble on their identities in promising win over Suns originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SACRAMENTO — Over the course of 11 games spread across 21 days of the 2024-25 NBA season, the Kings’ identity has become increasingly difficult to decipher.
On their 12th Wednesday evening, a 127-104 victory against the Phoenix Sunsthey finally unlocked it — and Kings star point guard De’Aaron Fox had the key.
Fox shot a career-high 36.9 percent from 3-point range last season on a career-high 7.8 attempts per game. This season, he has struggled mightily from beyond the arc, shooting just 28.2 percent on 6.5 attempts. He is playing through an injured shooting finger on his left hand, which is likely contributing to the negative numbers.
But Wednesday night was like the Fox we knew four or five years ago, showcasing the part of his game that has made him such a special player since he entered the league at age 19. He used his unmatched speed to take up painting and create for himself and others.
He didn’t attempt a single 3-point shot until there was 1:33 left in the first half. He had 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting in 18 minutes in the first half, with two rebounds, four assists and two steals in that time. His next and final 3-point attempt came in the fourth quarter, which was nothing more than a 25-foot net.
Fox finished with a game-high 29 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field and 1-of-2 from downtown, with six rebounds and 10 assists. He also made six of his eight free throw attempts and was a plus-19 plus/minus in 32 minutes.
Vintage fox.
“Just the emphasis on the paint,” Fox said when asked about his shot selection Wednesday. “I think one (3-pointer) was off the dribble, the other one was a catch-and-shoot. But other than that, I was trying to hit the paint. And I think every time that we’re able to hit the paint and get the open looks, I think we’re a better shooting team, so let’s just emphasize that.
“(Kings assistant coach) Luke (Loucks) talked to me about it, and I’m just trying to be able to execute that. Get open looks at my teammates, get to the free throw line, whatever it takes .”
In a league that glorifies 3-pointers and unimaginable logo shots, it’s easy for players to get lost between what’s wanted and what’s necessary for their team.
For Fox, Brown needs his star point guard to get back to basics and play fundamental basketball because things are paying off for both him and the team – just like they did on Wednesday.
“That’s what we need from Fox,” Brown said after the game. “He’s the fastest guy in the league. He’s the best guard in the league, but our spacing has to be good, and our spacing was pretty good tonight. I mean, when it’s there for him, he’ll come down, and it’s up to us to make sure that happens, and then it’s up to him to make sure he stays aggressive, getting into that paint where he’s deadly.”
Despite his early season struggles, Fox still has the green light to shoot the 3-ball whenever it’s the right basketball play — and he should. But when he’s in his bag attacking the basket with speed and force, he has so many deadly options he can pursue in the moment: getting to the rim, shooting up and knocking down the jump shot as a master from the midrange that he is, find Domantas Sabonis or the cutting big man, or distribute it to a shooter waiting along the perimeter.
That is the Sacramento Kings offense. That is their identity. And that that’s what was on full display Wednesday.
“Like I said before, I think it’s the way we touch the paint,” Fox said of what worked for Sacramento’s offense in Wednesday’s win. “I think putting two feet in the paint and then spraying. Sometimes it might not be that person shooting, but now the defense is in rotation, and it could be a swing, a swing, someone else touches the paint, swing, swing, shot Every time we play, we don’t play to get the assist. If that person makes a shot, they move it forward. constant rotation.
“And I think that’s when we start to get some open looks. And I mean, obviously, everyone knows it’s a lot easier to stand there, catch the ball and shoot than having to go off screen or do it on your own So if we’re able to do that, if we’re able to create advantages and then play from that, I have it. I feel like it makes those shots a lot easier.”
The figures also confirm this.
Sacramento shot a season-high 53.6 percent from 3-point land. Trey Lyles, who appears to be finding his rhythm after suffering a groin injury, finished with a game-high 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, with five rebounds and three assists in 22 minutes coming off the bench. Keegan Murray and Sabonis each added three triples, Kevin Huerter had two and Fox, Jordan McLaughlin, Keon Ellis and Colby Jones each added one.
Two seasons ago, Sacramento’s newfound success was based on its historic offense structured around speed, ball movement, DHOs and volume of 3-point shots.
Last year, the Kings hoped to maintain a strong offensive performance while emphasizing defensive growth, with physical probably being a word thrown around by Brown a thousand times.
But with so much emphasis on defense, shooting numbers dropped at the other end of the court for several players. One positive aspect of this disappointing season, in which the Kings missed the playoffs, was that players like Murray, whose role was limited to 3-point shooting the previous season as a rookie, transformed himself into an incredible defender, paving the way to stardom in both directions.
But positives and moral victories aren’t enough in the NBA – and especially not in the Western Conference.
Early this year, it was time for the Kings to choose their identity and stick with it for 82 games. Of course, defense will always be important to any team’s success. especially one coached by Brown.
The Kings have already shown significant growth on that side of the ball in a small sample size this season, with players buying into Brown’s defensive advocacy for two years. Huerter’s growth from his first season with the Kings to now has been nothing short of remarkable. Fox fully lives up to his “Swipa” nickname with his interceptions, but he has become a much better overall defender since partnering with Brown.
Although all this was a reassuring sign, it is not and should not be their game. At least not until their size problem is resolved.
What they need to rely on is what helped them win Wednesday’s game: their offense, and specifically their 3-point shooting.
“I thought in the second half we played to our identity,” Brown said after the game. “We always talk about playing physical. Our guys did that. They did a hell of a job defensively, trying to be physical. We always talk about playing fast, 22 fast break points for the match. It suited us perfectly .And then we talk about playing together.
“I thought it was one of our best games doing what we know how to do, which is touch the paint and spray it or just move the ball forward, especially against teams that are in a heavy game. So our ability to do those things tonight was a big part of who we are, and it was nice to get a win of that magnitude, playing kind of like we’re capable of playing.
It took some time to find and live up to their identity, but it could be worth it if the Kings can maintain and build on Wednesday’s performance.
