Domantas Sabonis returns to help Kings take down Wizards

Russell Westbrook made a season-best six 3-pointers and scored 26 points and Domantas Sabonis energized the Kings in his first appearance since Nov. 16 to help Sacramento produce a 128-115 victory over the visiting Washington Wizards on Friday night.

DeMar DeRozan added 17 points and Zach LaVine and Precious Achiuwa scored 16 points apiece as the Kings extended their season-best winning streak to four games. Dennis Schroder returned from a three-game suspension to score 15 points off the bench for Sacramento.

Alex Sarr scored 19 points and Tre Johnson had 18 for the Wizards, who lost their fifth consecutive game. Washington has dropped those contests by an average of 17.6 points.

Sabonis made 5 of 6 shots and had 13 points, six rebounds and five assists in 21 minutes after missing 27 games due to a partially torn meniscus in his left knee.

Sabonis, a three-time All-Star, came off the bench for the first time with the Kings after 257 consecutive starts since being acquired in the deal that sent Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers in February 2022.

Sacramento made 58.0% of its field-goal attempts and was 15 of 31 from 3-point range. Achiuwa was 7-of-8 shooting.

Kyshawn George and Justin Champagnie scored 15 points apiece for Washington. Malaki Branham had 13 off the bench and Bub Carrington registered 11 points and nine assists.

The Wizards connected on 48.9% of their shots, including 11 of 34 from behind the arc.

The Kings, who are 4-0 to start a seven-game homestand, ripped off the final 19 points of the first quarter to hold a 41-22 lead. Sabonis entered with 5:11 left in the quarter and Sacramento leading 22-20.

The advantage was 21 early in the second quarter before the Wizards got back into the game. Champagnie's dunk brought Washington within 60-57 with 2:20 left before Sacramento took a 67-61 lead into the break.

Achiuwa had 14 points in the first half for the Kings. Sarr had 18 in the half for Washington.

DeRozan's three-point play and Westbrook's driving hoop gave Sacramento a 77-69 lead with 8:21 left in the third quarter. Later in the period, the Kings used a 10-2 run that was capped by Dylan Cardwell's layup for a 100-84 lead with 1:18 remaining.

Sacramento led 101-84 entering the final stanza before Washington went on a 10-2 run to move within nine. LaVine, Westbrook and DeRozan all nailed treys around the middle of the quarter to help the Kings hold off the charge.