Cody Williams Impresses, But Kings Prevail Over Jazz
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – DeMar DeRozan delivered a stellar performance, scoring a season-high 41 points and dishing out 11 assists, leading the Sacramento Kings to a hard-fought 116-111 victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday night. While DeRozan stole the show, rookie Cody Williams showcased his potential, leading the Jazz with a strong 34-point outing.
DeRozan, recently surpassing Hall of Famer Tim Duncan for 18th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, was remarkably efficient, shooting 11 of 21 from the field. This marked his first 40+ point game since February 2, 2025, and the 417th time he’s reached the 20-point mark while maintaining a 50% shooting percentage. Precious Achiuwa contributed a solid double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings.
Rookie Spotlight: Cody Williams’ Performance
Cody Williams, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, demonstrated his scoring prowess, particularly early in the game. He ignited the Jazz offense with 14 points in the first quarter. While the Jazz ultimately fell short, Williams’ performance offered a glimpse of the bright future for the Utah franchise. His ability to create scoring opportunities and his overall impact on the game were noteworthy.
Key Moments and Game Recap
Killian Hayes, who signed a contract extension with Sacramento earlier in the day, added 16 points and 8 assists. Nique Clifford and Daeqwon Plowden each chipped in with 10 points. The Kings (18-51) have now won four of their last five games.
Brice Sensabaugh added 22 points and Isaiah Collier contributed 21 for the Jazz (20-48). The Kings extended their lead to 110-99 with 4:45 remaining, thanks to a clutch three-pointer from Plowden. However, the Jazz mounted a late comeback, narrowing the gap to 110-107 with three minutes left, fueled by back-to-back threes from Sensabaugh and Harkless.
DeRozan sealed the victory for the Kings in the final minutes, converting three crucial free throws, including one with just 14.9 seconds on the clock. Both teams entered the game with depleted rosters, with Utah having nine players available and Sacramento only eight.
Looking Ahead
Utah Jazz: Will face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.
Sacramento Kings: Will host the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.
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