De’Aaron Fox scores 37 points, lifts Kings beat Jazz 117-115

© Provided by Associated Press – Sports Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) dunks against Utah Jazz forward Jarred Vanderbilt (8) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — De’Aaron Fox made a driving layup in the final second and scored 22 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter to help the Sacramento Kings beat the Utah Jazz 117-115 on Tuesday night.

Utah’s Lauri Markannen made a 3-pointer at the final buzzer that was initially ruled good, but reversed upon replay.

Time and again, Sacramento worked Fox into situations where he could use his quickness to get to the basket or hit mid-range jumpers against sagging defenders.

© Provided by Associated Press – Sports Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) reacts to the replay showing his shot against the Sacramento Kings was after the buzzer in an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger)

Fox’s big fourth quarter included an emphatic dunk and an 18-foot pullup with 23.1 seconds remaining to put the Kings up 115-112.

© Provided by Associated Press – Sports Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) drives against Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) in the first half during an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger)

Markkanen made all three free throws on a foul behind the arc, but Fox got switched onto the Finnish 7-footer and drove by him for an acrobatic layup.

Markannen had 28 points, including a 15-for-15 performance from the line, and Jordan Clarkson added 24. The Jazz dropped their fifth straight game, with the five losses by a combined 17 points.

© Provided by Associated Press – Sports Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) drives past Utah Jazz forward Jarred Vanderbilt (8) in the first half during an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger)

Domantas Sabonis, playing with a broken right thumb, had 21 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists to help the Kings win for the third time in four games.

© Provided by Associated Press – Sports Kings Jazz Basketball

Coupled with a 126-125 victory over the Jazz last week, Sacramento has moved three games ahead of Utah in the Western Conference standings.

Harrison Barnes had 19 for the Kings, and Keegan Murray and Kevin Huerter both added 16 each.

TIP-INS

Kings: Sabonis made 17 straight field goals over the last two games against the Jazz until finally missing a shot in the second quarter. … Sacramento’s 18 turnovers led to 27 Utah points.

© Provided by Associated Press – Sports Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40), right, dribbles against Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) in the first half during an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger)

Jazz: Collin Sexton missed the game to manage his recurring right hamstring injury. … Clarkson reached 10,000 career points with a basket in the first quarter.

UP NEXT

Kings: Host Atlanta on Wednesday night to start a five-game homestand.

Jazz: At Houston on Thursday night.

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© Provided by Associated Press – Sports Kings Jazz Basketball