Home Entertainment NIGHTMARE: Bucks were ended by Kings 15-match unbeaten streak during the day only Giannis still shined with 30 points

NIGHTMARE: Bucks were ended by Kings 15-match unbeaten streak during the day only Giannis still shined with 30 points

Entertainment — 03/13/2024

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points and 13 rebounds for the Bucks, who went 1-3 on a four-game California swing. Milwaukee shot 36.6% for the game and missed 32 of 39 from 3-point range.

“We deserved it tonight,” coach Doc Rivers said.

“It’s my fault. I didn’t get them prepared the way I should mentally. At shootaround, guys were talking about planes leaving. As a staff, we talked about it after shootaround that if our focus is not better than this morning, it’s going to be a long day. And it was a long day. So that’s on us.”

De'Aaron Fox scores 29 points and the Kings snap a 15-game skid against the Bucks with a 129-94 win

De’Aaron Fox scored 29 points and the Sacramento Kings beat Milwaukee 129-94 on Tuesday night for their first win over the Bucks in more than eight years.

Sacramento had not defeated Milwaukee since Feb. 1, 2016, with the 15-game losing streak being the longest active streak for any team.

This game was never in doubt. The Kings never trailed and led by double digits since the midway point of the second quarter and built the lead to 30 points in the fourth quarter.

Domantas Sabonis had 22 points and 11 rebounds, setting a Kings single-season record with his 47th consecutive double-double. Jerry Lucas had set the mark in 1967-68.

Rivers, Lillard and Giannis speak on the Bucks loss to the Kings

Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) is surrounded by Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley (21), forward Bobby Portis (9) and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, March 12, 2024. (AP Photo/José Luis Villegas)

Malik Monk added 25 points off the bench.

The Kings have won three of four and trail Phoenix by just a half-game in the race for sixth place in the Western Conference.

The one highlight for Milwaukee was a putback dunk in the closing minutes by rookie Andre Jackson Jr., whose head got above the rim on the play.

The Kings started fast offensively by making eight 3-pointers in the first quarter and building on the lead from there. Sacramento shot 66% in the first half and opened a 20-point lead late in the second quarter on a dunk by Sabonis.

The Kings led 75-56 at the half and were in control the rest of the way.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) splits Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) and guard Kevin Huerter (9) as he drives to the basket in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, March 12, 2024. (AP Photo/José Luis Villegas)

Both teams were shorthanded as Khris Middleton missed his 15th consecutive game for Milwaukee due to an injured left ankle and Keegan Murray missed the game for Sacramento due to a damaged left ankle sustained on Sunday in Houston.

According to Rivers, Middleton has started working out again and is getting close to returning.

Milwaukee’s MarJon Beauchamp was also sidelined due to back spasms, and Trey Lyles of Sacramento departed the game in the second quarter due to a left knee injury and did not return.