Kings hold off Suns’ rally in home victory
The Kings withstood a big second-half comeback to avenge a 29-point loss in their season opener with a 120-116 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night at Golden 1 Center.
Bogdan Bogdanovic scored a career-high 31 points for the Kings (6-7), who have won six of eight since going 0-5 to start the season. Bogdanovic also established a career high for 3-point goals in a game, making 7 of 9 from beyond the arc.
Richaun Holmes had 20 points and 15 rebounds. Nemanja Bjelica posted 17 points and eight rebounds. Cory Joseph recorded a career-high 14 assists.
The Kings completely dominated the Suns in the first half and carried a 62-45 lead into the break. They shot 62.5 percent from the field and made 7 of 15 from 3-point range while holding the Suns to 31.9-percent shooting overall and 4-of-19 shooting from beyond the arc. Bogdanovic came off the bench to post 18 points and six assists in an electric first half in which he made 6 of 9 from the field and 4 of 6 from long distance.
Sacramento led by as many as 26 after outscoring Phoenix 14-6 to start the second half. The Suns closed the third quarter with an 8-0 run to get within 12 and cut the deficit to nine early in the fourth quarter, but a 3-pointer from Bogdanovic helped the Kings reestablish a double-digit lead.
The Suns made one last charge to get within three on a 3-pointer by Booker with 12.1 seconds remaining, but Yogi Ferrell sank a pair of free throws to help the Kings hold on for the win.