DeMar DeRozan scored 31 points, while Malik Monk added 28 and nine assists as Sacramento Kings beat the Houston Rockets 132-127. Behind by 16 points midway through the third quarter, the Rockets charged back to take a 91-90 lead early in the fourth.

After a three-game road trip, the Kings returned home Thursday night to face the Western Conference’s second-place Houston Rockets and escaped with a thrilling yet narrow 132-127 win on national television at Golden 1 Center.

Following Saturday's practice in Sacramento, De'Aaron Fox speaks with reporters about the defensive improvements from the Kings during their turnaround under interim head coach Doug Christie, reflects on the win over the Houston Rockets two nights ago,

DeMar DeRozan gave Sacramento the lead for good with 2:20 remaining, De'Aaron Fox made five free throws amid two controversial calls in the final 33 seconds, and the host Kings hung on to defeat the Houston Rockets 132-127 on Thursday night.

Winning at home has been a big point of emphasis since Christie took over as interim coach of the Kings when Mike Brown was fired in December. The Kings did it again in a Thursday night thriller, beating the Houston Rockets 132-127 before a sellout crowd of 18,227 at Golden 1 Center and a national television audience on TNT.

The Sacramento Kings don't get much time on National TV, and when they do and win a battle like this, it gets felt throughout the city. Lighting the Beam on TNT may not mean much to those watching around the US, but it sure means a lot to the Kings and fans in Sacramento.

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Jan 16, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) celebrates after making a 3 point basket during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images / Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

DeMar DeRozan had 33 points, Malik Monk added 26 points and nine assists and the Sacramento Kings beat the Houston Rockets 132-127 on Thursday night.

Kings forward DeMar DeRozan scores 33 points in Sacramento Kings’ 132-127 win over the Houston Rockets on January 16, 2025, at Golden 1 Center.DeMar DeRozan highlights: Watch Kings star score 33 vs. R

The injury report for the Sacramento Kings (20-20) ahead of their game against the Houston ... Bucks. DeMar DeRozan’s team-leading 28 points paced the Kings in the losing effort. The Rockets ...