Kings HC Mike Brown Eulogizes Domantas Sabonis After Big Win vs. Suns

The Sacramento Kings managed to take home their second W of the season against the Phoenix Suns on Friday, winning 120-105 on the backs of a well-rounded performance from the entire team. However, the biggest contributions may have come from their All-NBA big man, Domantas Sabonis.

In 35 minutes, Sabonis posted an astounding 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists while shooting 80% from the field. Seeing Domantas stuff the stat sheet has become a common occurrence throughout his time with the Kings, but head coach Mike Brown feels as if he deserves some more credit for the type of impact we’ve seen from him.

Brown went to the podium on Friday night after the Kings’ 17th win of the year, vocalizing how many may be taking the output we’re seeing from Sabonis for granted.

Domas is not your everyday center in the league 👑

HB and Coach Brown weigh in on @Dsabonis11's fourth triple-double of the season, marking his sixth 20-point triple-double with the Kings 😤 pic.twitter.com/jR2U31d6K7
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) December 23, 2023

“I think it’s natural for people to think, ‘Okay, great game,’ but not be excited about it just because he does. That’s what he does,” Brown said. "And so to be able to recognize it, to highlight it when he does it from time to time is big. It’s up to all of us to highlight it because it’s hard. It’s hard. First, it’s almost impossible to be a center and get a triple-double... especially as much as he gets them. But, a double-double everybody just thinks it should happen because he always gets double-doubles. So, I don’t think it’s malicious when people take it for granted at all, it’s just expecting what a great player does."

Through his first 27 games of the year, Sabonis has averaged 19.0 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists. This season, only one other player has managed to average a similar 19-12-7 stat line, and that is 2x league MVP Nikola Jokic. This type of production is practically unmatched.

Sabonis and the Kings will have their hands full in their next matchup on Saturday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who currently sit in first place in the Western Conference. If Domantas can outduel a paint lockdown like Rudy Gobert, it may be just what he needs to gain some much-earned respect.

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