Harrison Barnes scores 33, Sacramento Kings defeat Utah Jazz

The Sacramento Kings dominated the Utah Jazz in their season opener, with Harrison Barnes scoring 33 points.

In a thrilling season opener for both teams, the Sacramento Kings emerged victorious with a commanding 130-114 win over the Utah Jazz. Harrison Barnes was the standout player of the game, delivering an impressive performance with 33 points. Domantas Sabonis also had a strong showing, contributing 22 points and 12 rebounds, while De'Aaron Fox added 18 points to the Kings' tally. Malik Monk proved to be a valuable asset off the bench, dishing out a team-high seven assists.

The Kings dominated the game from beyond the arc, sinking an impressive 19 of 51 3-pointers. Their overall shooting percentage was also commendable, with a 46% success rate from the field. On the other side, the Jazz were led by Jordan Clarkson, who scored 24 points and provided six assists. Lauri Markkanen had a solid performance with 18 points and 10 rebounds, and John Collins made an impactful debut for Utah with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

The loss for the Jazz marked the end of their six-game winning streak in season openers. Additionally, it extended their recent struggles against the Kings, as they have now lost four of their last five regular season games against Sacramento.

Harrison Barnes set the tone early in the game, making his first eight shots, including four 3-pointers. He scored an impressive 27 points in the first half alone, showcasing his veteran skills and efficiency on the court. Barnes' performance was instrumental in sparking a 10-0 run for the Kings, which gave them a 32-21 lead late in the first quarter. During this run, Utah struggled to find their rhythm, missing shots and committing turnovers, allowing Barnes and the Kings to seize control of the game.

Sacramento continued to build on their lead, going up by as many as 19 points in the second quarter, with Barnes and Sabonis combining for seven baskets in a four-minute stretch. Although the Jazz made a brief comeback in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to nine points, they were unable to bridge the gap any further. The Kings quickly regained their double-digit lead, courtesy of a 3-pointer by Fox, and eventually extended their advantage to 23 points in the final quarter.

Looking ahead, the Kings will face the Golden State Warriors in their next game. Having won just one out of their four matchups against the Warriors last year, Sacramento will be eager to start the season series on a positive note.