The Sacramento Kings are grateful for De’Aaron Fox’s determination to play through a thumb injury and other issues, even though his recent performance has taken a hit. After their worst loss under interim coach Doug Christie, the Kings are hopeful Fox will lead them to a turnaround when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night, a team currently on a 10-game home losing streak.
Despite posting a 10-4 record under Christie, the Kings have struggled on their six-game road trip, including a 143-120 defeat to the New York Knicks on Saturday, which was their second-largest loss of the season. Fox had a tough game, scoring only 14 points on 6 of 20 shooting, marking the 10th time this season he’s scored under 20 points. The Kings have a 5-5 record in those games.
“I had 60 with my hand taped,” Fox said, referring to his impressive 60-point game against the Timberwolves in November despite an injured pinkie on his shooting hand. “People can make up the excuse they want. Sometimes you just don’t play well.”
Fox, who played through a right thumb sprain despite being listed as questionable, also missed three games earlier this month due to a right glute contusion. Since returning, he’s averaging 17.1 points per game but is shooting just 35.0% from the field.
Sacramento’s DeMar DeRozan commended Fox’s toughness: “I’m pretty sure we all deal with some type of injuries that outside people can’t see. It’s easy just to say, ‘sit down.’ But I respect (Fox), I commend him for even just being out there.”
Domantas Sabonis, who posted his sixth triple-double with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists, also highlighted Fox’s impact: “We’re fighting for something… just by him being on the court, it helps us immensely.”
Fox scored 31 points in the Kings’ 108-103 loss to the Nets on November 24, but the Nets had a full roster then. With Cam Thomas, Cameron Johnson, and Ben Simmons all sidelined due to injuries, Brooklyn faces a depleted lineup. Despite the injuries, the Nets are still winless at home since December 3, most recently losing 106-97 to the Miami Heat on Saturday, marking their 11th loss in 12 games.
Though the Nets made a strong push in the fourth quarter, cutting an 18-point deficit, they couldn’t finish the job, failing to score over 100 points for the 14th time this season and the eighth straight home game.
“The resiliency and fight, that’s why I’m proud of the guys,” said Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez. “We’ll work at it, we’ll watch it, and we’ll be better. I love the fight, the togetherness.”
Brooklyn has struggled offensively during their home losing streak, with an average defeat margin of 14.9 points and shooting under 40% five times, including a 37.5% effort against the Heat.
Keon Johnson and D’Angelo Russell led the Nets with 22 points each. Johnson has been on a hot streak, shooting 45.7% from the field over his last two games and posting back-to-back 20-point performances for the first time in his career.
