De’Aaron Fox Returns from Injury with 28 Points, Leads Kings to Victory
SACRAMENTO, Calif. –
In a highly anticipated return, De’Aaron Fox made a triumphant comeback after a two-week absence due to an ankle injury. The Sacramento Kings point guard showcased his skills, scoring 28 points and dishing out six assists to lead his team to a 132-120 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night.
Fox’s return was met with excitement from both fans and teammates, as he immediately made an impact on the court. He wasted no time, scoring the first points of the game with a driving layup just 11 seconds in. Throughout the night, Fox displayed his versatility, scoring on a reverse layup and sinking a crucial 3-pointer to help the Kings establish a 33-25 lead.
“It felt good just to be able to go out there and contribute,” said Fox, who had been eagerly awaiting his return. “When I got up today and wasn’t sore, I felt I was good to go. I felt well enough to go out there and affect the game.”
Fox’s performance was nothing short of exceptional, earning him chants of “MVP!” from the crowd in the second half. He continued to shine in the second quarter and provided a spark for the Kings’ offense in the third quarter, including an emphatic one-handed dunk off a bounce pass from Malik Monk.
Head coach Mike Brown, who recently achieved his 400th career victory, praised Fox’s play and predicted even greater success for the young star. “His play and our play is going to start getting him the recognition he deserves,” Brown said. “The crazy part is he’s just scratched the surface of who he can be. When he gets there, look out.”
Alongside Fox, Domantas Sabonis contributed 23 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds, while Keegan Murray had a season-high 25 points with five 3-pointers. The Kings’ balanced scoring attack proved too much for the Cavaliers to handle, despite Donovan Mitchell’s 22 points and Caris LeVert’s 21 points for Cleveland.
The victory was particularly meaningful for coach Mike Brown, who achieved his milestone win against one of his former teams. Brown previously coached the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 to 2010 and during the 2013-14 season. Reflecting on his accomplishment, Brown expressed gratitude towards his former teams and players, acknowledging the role they played in his success.
Cleveland made a late push in the fourth quarter, closing the gap to 126-115, but Fox’s three-point play with 1:26 remaining sealed the win for the Kings. Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff lamented his team’s failure to execute their game plan, emphasizing the need to contain the Kings’ firepower.
The Sacramento Kings’ victory not only marked a successful return for De’Aaron Fox but also showcased the team’s potential when all their pieces come together. With Fox leading the charge, the Kings are poised for a promising season ahead.