How Kings’ Big Three Made Franchise History After Just Four Games originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
If you were concerned about how DeMar DeRozan might work with his fellow Kings star teammates, brush that aside.
Just four games into the 2024-2025 NBA season, the numbers don’t lie – and history is already being made.
After Tuesday night’s 113-96 win against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center, Sacramento’s new Big Three become the first trio in Kings history since 1961 to start a season with each averaging at least 20 points per game . The only other triad to do so was Oscar Robertson, Jack Twyman and Wayne Embry, according to StatMamba.
Sacramento Kings top scorers:
24.3 PPG — Domantas Sabonis
23.0 PPG — DeMar DeRozan
21.5 PPG — De’Aaron FoxThe first trio in franchise history to start a season averaging 20+ PPG each since 1961. pic.twitter.com/CWGHuYKxLE
— StatMamba (@StatMamba) October 30, 2024
This season, Sabonis is averaging 24.3 points on 67.9 percent shooting from the field and 54.5 percent from 3-point range, with 11 rebounds and 5.5 rebounds in 36.3 minutes through Sacramento’s first four games .
It’s early, but his 24.3 points would be a career high if the season ended today. His aggressiveness on the offensive end of the court has been reflected in a small sample size, and if he can keep it up, he could be poised for a career-best.
Meanwhile, Fox is averaging 21.5 points on 46.4 percent shooting from the field with 4.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 36 minutes. He’s shooting just 29.2 percent from beyond the arc, but after shooting a career-best 36.9 percent from downtown last season, it’s only a matter of time until those shots start falling for Fox.
In his first season with the Kings, DeRozan is doing exactly what was expected of him when Sacramento acquired him in a sign-and-trade deal this offseason. He was consistent, available, a leader on and off the floor, getting to the free throw line and opening up opportunities for others.
Through four games, the six-time NBA All-Star is averaging 23 points on 55.2 percent shooting, adding 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals in 37 minutes.
With the return of Kings sharpshooter Kevin Huerter and the continued growth of third-year forward Keegan Murray, the Kings offense is returning to the same style it was two seasons ago.
Now it’s about keeping that flow and momentum going for at least 78 more games.
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