Yogi Ferrell, Sacramento Kings Bench Shines in Preseason Opener Victory
Oct 2, 2018, 12:00 AM | Updated: Jan 4, 2019, 11:35 am
(Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
by Matt George – Sports 1140 KHTK Reporter
The Sacramento Kings traveled to the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix to open up the 2018 NBA preseason against the Pacific rival Suns. Phoenix, who selected DeAndre Ayton with the first overall pick in this year’s draft, against Marvin Bagley, Sacramento’s number two overall pick. Although Ayton won the duel of the rookies, it was the Kings who came out on top, 106-102.
Sacramento overcame a slow start offensively, trailing by as much as 10 points early on. Willie Cauley-Stein provided some much needed offense, and enjoyed success on the glass, pulling down 11 rebounds in just the first half. Yogi Ferrell, one of the Kings’ two free agency signings, was the man off the bench for Sacramento all night long. His offensive showcase, 26 total points including six three-pointers, was the spark needed to create separation in the second half.
Ayton led the Suns in scoring with 24 points on 56% shooting from the field, a much better offensive showing than Bagley, who scored only seven points on 27% shooting. However, it was the rookie in purple who got the last laugh, landing a clutch block on Ayton in the closing moments of the game to keep the Kings ahead.
Marvin Bagley with the clutch block against his former teammate DeAndre Ayton. We’ve been telling y’all, Bagley means business. #SecureTheBagley💰💰💰 pic.twitter.com/1mChTyVi4T
— TESportsTalk (@TEsportstalk) October 2, 2018
Other Kings rookie Harry Giles continues to show why he is a fan favorite, scoring 14 points along with six rebounds and three assists before fouling out after 23 total minutes of play. Star point guard De’Aaron Fox barely saw the floor in the fourth quarter due to the success of Ferrell, but managed 12 points and five assists in 26 minutes.
Fast break offense was a high priority for the Kings in training camp, and they showed off their speed in the open court, finishing with 15 fast break points. Had 15 been their average last season, that would have been good for 5th in the NBA, a significant improvement from being bottom of the league in pace.
The Kings look ahead to another road preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.
