Sabonis stars as DeRozan and the streaking Kings beat the Bulls 124-119

On Sunday, January 12, 2025, the Sacramento Kings faced off against the Chicago Bulls in a thrilling NBA matchup held in Chicago, USA. The game concluded with the Kings defeating the Bulls 124-119, marking their seventh consecutive win this season, which is their longest winning streak thus far. Domantas Sabonis played a pivotal role in this victory, contributing 22 points along with 15 rebounds and eight assists. This impressive performance solidified his reputation as a key player in Sacramento's recent success. Sacramento's De'Aaron Fox returned to the lineup after a three-game absence due to a bruised right glute, scoring 26 points while securing nine rebounds. In addition, Malik Monk also showed strong output with 18 points and nine assists. Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan, who formerly played for the Bulls, received a warm welcome in his return home, managing to add 21 points to his team's effort. The Kings have been performing exceptionally well since the hiring of interim coach Doug Christie on December 27, having achieved a 7-1 record under his guidance. The Chicago Bulls, despite the loss, had standout performances from Zach LaVine, who led his team with an impressive 36 points. After a significant hiatus, Lonzo Ball made his first start since January 2022 and achieved season highs of 15 points and five three-pointers. The game featured various lead changes throughout, and LaVine showcased his exceptional scoring abilities, including a pivotal two free throws and a turnaround jumper that narrowed Sacramento's lead to just one point in the closing minutes. However, despite their best efforts, the Bulls could not secure the victory. In a crucial moment late in the game, Fox managed to increase Sacramento's advantage back to three points with two successful foul shots, demonstrating the Kings' ability to make important plays when it mattered most. A defensive block by Nikola Vucevic on Monk's drive added tension to the final moments, but the Bulls ultimately faltered, resulting in a five-second violation after a timeout. Sabonis then sealed the game by hitting two free throws that brought the score to its final 124-119. As a result of this game, the Kings will look to keep their momentum going into their next matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, while the Bulls will prepare to host the New Orleans Pelicans.