Santi Aldama takes control and the Grizzlies destroy the Kings

The Memphis Grizzlies put on one of their most complete performances of the season as they convincingly defeated the Sacramento Kings 137-96, ending a five-game losing streak and deepening their rival's crisis, who now have eight consecutive losses. The game was practically decided in the first half with a great performance from Santi Aldama.

The Spaniard led the offense with 29 points, while Jock Landale contributed 21. Cedric Coward added 19, and Zach Edey finished the night with 16, all crucial in building a lead that Sacramento could never challenge. Vince Williams set a career high with 15 assists, helping the team establish a franchise record with 42 assists.

For the Sacramento Kings, Zach LaVine stood out with 26 points and solid shooting. Maxine Raynaud scored 12, while both Russell Westbrook and Keegan Murray, making his season debut after a left thumb injury, finished with 11 points. The team's situation continues to deteriorate: the eight losses in this bad streak have been by double digits, with four of them by at least 27 points. The 41-point loss in Memphis is their widest margin this season.

Prior to the game, Sacramento announced that an MRI revealed a partial meniscus tear in Domantas Sabonis' left knee. The center will be reevaluated in three to four weeks after getting injured during the fall against San Antonio last Sunday. With his absence in the paint, the Grizzlies found easier paths to the basket. Edey and Landale dominated inside in the first half, missing only one of their thirteen shots. Edey reached 16 points and Landale had 13 in that stretch where Memphis shot 54% and achieved their highest offensive production in a first half this season, leading 75-47 at halftime.

The Kings, spiraling downward with Sabonis injured

The lead kept growing in the third quarter, which ended with a resounding 113-76, leaving the final stretch uneventful. Memphis put an end to a bad streak while Sacramento deepened theirs, marked by Sabonis' absence (he will be out for several weeks) and results that show no sign of improvement with a roster that lacks balance and direction.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Santi Aldama se hace con los mandos y los Grizzlies destrozan a los Kings