Harrison Barnes scored 33 points and boosted the Sacramento Kings to a 130-114 win over the Utah Jazz in the season opener for both teams Wednesday night in Salt Lake City.
Domantas Sabonis added 22 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, while De’Aaron Fox contributed 18 points, five rebounds and six assists in the Kings’ lopsided victory. Keegan Murray chipped in 15 points and eight rebounds.
Sacramento, which made its first playoff appearance in 17 years last spring, looked strong from the jump in this road contest. Barnes fired in 27 points in the first half to help the Kings burst ahead 72-58 at the break.
Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 24 points and six assists. Lauri Markkanen added 19 points and 10 rebounds, and offseason acquisition John Collins totaled 15 points and 11 boards in his first Jazz game. They were the only three players in double figures for Utah.
Jazz rookie Keyonte George, the 16th overall pick of the 2023 draft out of Baylor, scored eight points in his NBA debut.
The Kings wasted little time in establishing their presence, jumping out to a 7-0 lead a minute-and-a-half into the game.
Utah momentarily took the lead at 18-17 after a three-point play by Kelly Olynyk and a free throw and dunk from Collin Sexton.
Sasha Vezenkov responded with a 3-pointer to spark a 15-3 run for Sacramento.
Barnes kept his hot hand in the second quarter, scoring 14 points to lift the Kings to the commanding halftime lead. He hit 10 of 11 shots, including all five 3-point attempts, in the opening half.
Sacramento didn’t relent in the third quarter, scoring 33 points to cross the century mark well before the final quarter while seizing a 105-87 lead after three.
After the Kings took their largest lead at 110-87 with 10:43 to play, the Jazz trimmed the deficit to 112-99 following a Clarkson 3-pointer.
Sacramento ended Utah’s surge thanks to four straight points by Sabonis, including two free throws after Clarkson was called for a flagrant foul.
–Field Level Media
