Kings Use 39-Point Third Quarter To Beat Lakers, 116-92
SACRAMENTO (AP) — DeMarcus Cousins had 31 points, 16 rebounds and five assists, and the Sacramento Kings used a big third quarter to send the slumping Los Angeles Lakers to a seventh straight defeat with a 116-92 win Monday night in a game featuring seven technical fouls.
After five straight points by Cousins during one sequence, Darren Collison hit consecutive 3-pointers late in the third as the Kings outscored the Lakers 39-13 in the quarter on the way to just their second victory in seven games. Collison wound up with 20 points.
First-year Lakers coach Luke Walton was ejected at the 4:14 mark of the first quarter after two technicals in succession for arguing, and he had to be held back by his players near midcourt as he became enraged after Cousins knocked over Julius Randle with no foul called.
Randle also received a T on the play and associate head coach Brian Shaw took over. D'Angelo Russell, Shaw, Cousins and Lou Williams also had technicals.
The Lakers got Russell and Nick Young back for Sunday's 118-112 home loss to the Knicks, but their minutes were limited again Monday.
Russell scored 17 points while Jordan Clarkson and Williams contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively, off the bench. Young had eight points as Los Angeles lost for the eighth time in nine games. The Lakers played the second game of a back-to-back while kicking off a seven-game, 13-day road trip.
Russell had missed 12 of 13 games with left knee soreness and Young returned after sitting out seven of nine with a strained calf.
This was already the Lakers' second visit to new Golden 1 Center, where they won 101-91 on Nov. 10 after trailing by 19 in the second quarter.
Cousins, again defended by Timofey Mozgov, went 0 for 3 in the second quarter but answered after halftime and finished 12 for 21 from the field.
Kings guard Ben McLemore was helped off the court with a bruised left quadriceps at the 7:35 mark of the first quarter after getting a knee on Mozgov's screen. He didn't return.
WALTON'S SUPPORTING CAST
As Walton experiences the bumps and losing streaks, he has leaned on old boss Steve Kerr of the Warriors, Phil Jackson and even his dad, Bill. He also is so thankful to have Shaw on his staff — he mentioned it before the game and ejection — since he has been through it all as a head coach.
"We're all in it together and we're taking accountability in leading as well," Walton said.
TIP-INS
Lakers: Walton doubled his technical total (3) and the Lakers had six in all. ... Los Angeles is 4-10 on the road. ... The Lakers committed 21 turnovers in the first meeting and 20 this time for 30 Kings points.
Kings: Cousins had his 10th 30-point game. ... F Rudy Gay headed to the locker room 3:50 before halftime with a hip flexor. ... G Matt Barnes had the night off for planned rest and wasn't in uniform. ... Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson sat courtside in suit and tie and was honored during a second-quarter ceremony with a signed basketball for his efforts getting new Golden 1 Center built.
UP NEXT
Lakers: At Brooklyn on Wednesday as their season-high road trip goes East for the rest of the way before returning Dec. 24 ahead of a Christmas Day game with the Clippers.
Kings: At Houston on Wednesday. The Kings lost 117-104 at home to the Rockets on Nov. 25.
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