Kings Bench Players Step Up in Preseason Win Against Jazz

The Sacramento Kings broke a four-game preseason losing streak on Thursday night with a 116-113 win against the Utah Jazz. Both teams sat most of their starters, with G De'Aaron Fox, C Domantas Sabonis, and F Keegan Murray all sitting out for Sacramento as they look ahead to the regular season opener.

With their All-Star duo and rising sophomore star out, the Kings needed their supporting cast to step up. The starting lineup of G Davion Mitchell, G Kevin Huerter, F Harrison Barnes, F Sasha Vezenkov, and C JaVale McGee struggled to retain a lead against the Jazz starters, led by G Collin Sexton, G Talen Horton-Tucker, and C Walker Kessler.

Sacramento's second unit saved the day despite the Kings' starters being outscored by the Jazz starters. G Malik Monk was the most impressive player for the Kings, finishing with 23 points and eight rebounds while shooting 9-19 from the field.

Malik doing BUSINESS in the 4th Quarter 😤

🔥 16 PTS
🔥 6-11 FG
🔥 2-6 3PT pic.twitter.com/K0bg9Rb1Tb
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) October 20, 2023

The guard tandem of Monk and rookie G Colby Jones put on a show. Jones finished the game with 19 points and three steals while shooting 7-13 from the field and 5-8 from deep. Jones' two-way presence and shooting stroke led the way for Sacramento as the rookie made a statement.

Jones has continued to impressive all preseason, as the second-round rookie is making a case to play a significant role within the Kings' regular season rotation.

Colby Jones is, in fact, THAT GUY 😤 pic.twitter.com/JoXgoBceAy
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) October 20, 2023

The Kings have needed a player like Colby Jones, and he's showing his potential as a two-way player.pic.twitter.com/7bD9irRy7l
— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) October 20, 2023

Outside of spectacular performances from Monk and Jones, F Kessler Edwards also showed out in the second unit. With 14 points and eight rebounds, the third-year forward is proving that he can be a valuable player in Sacramento.

The Kings will need more impressive performances from the bench unit throughout the regular season if they want to make a push for the one seed in the Western Conference.

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