Sacramento Kings Stun Phoenix Suns, Notch 40th Win of the Season

• The Sacramento Kings overcame the Phoenix Suns 128-119 to register their 40th win of the season
• They are now on track to make their first playoff appearance in 16 years
• The last time the Kings made the playoffs was in the 2005/2006 season

The Sacramento Kings have been the team to watch in the 2022/23 NBA season. They stunned the Phoenix Suns 128-119 away from home to register their 40th win of the season.

This is the first time they've won 40 games since the 2005/2006 season when they went 44-38, clinching the eighth seed.

Kings starters struggled to get going. All-Star guard De'Aaron Fox finished with 18 points, while Domantas Sabonis finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Their bench did the heavy lifting. Their bench combined for 65 points: Malik Monk scored 18, Trey Lyles and Davion Mitchell scored 13, Kessler Edwards chipped in 12, and Chimezie Metu scored nine, per NBC Sports.

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Mike Brown's side are a league-best 8-1 since the 2023 NBA All-Star break and are moving closer to securing a playoff spot.

Meanwhile, the Suns were hoping to win their fifth straight game but endured a poor shooting night. They shot a disappointing 29.5% from deep in the loss. Moreover, the visitors shot 37 free throws compared to the hosts' 22, per SI.

The Suns were without Kevin Durant who is nursing an ankle injury. Devin Booker scored 28 points, Deandre Ayton added 22 points and 12 rebounds, and Chris Paul finished with 16 points and 16 assists, per ESPN.

What Mike Brown said

Coach of the Year contender Mike Brown played down the achievement of his team winning 40 games.

“I hope I don’t offend anybody, but we don’t just want to win 40,” Brown said. “Forty doesn’t … I don’t know — I don’t feel anything. I just want to win the next game,” via Sac Bee.

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Brown is the second Kings’ coach to win at least 40 games in an NBA season. He is a four-time NBA champion as an assistant coach.

Kings spoil Westbrook's debut

Sports Brief recently reported on the Clippers’ epic double-overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings, by a narrow 176 points to 175.

Malik Monk and De’Aaron Fox combined for 87 points to stun the packed crowd at Crypto.com Arena and spoiled the debut of Russell Westbrook.

The Clippers' new signing had a solid outing, finishing with 17 points and 14 assists in 39 minutes of action against the Kings.