Sabonis had 27 and Kings rally from 20 down to beat Pelicans 123-118

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Domantas Sabonis had 27 points and 16 rebounds for his NBA-leading 46th double-double of the season and the Sacramento Kings overcame a 20-point deficit for a 123-118 victory over New Orleans on Saturday night that extended the Pelicans’ losing streak to eight games.

Zach LaVine added 22 points in his best game for the Kings since being acquired in a trade from the Chicago Bulls last week. Keegan Murray had 19 points with eight rebounds.

Zion Williamson scored a season-high 40 points for New Orleans, CJ McCollum had 31 points while Trey Murphy III scored 20.

The game began as if it might be a blowout but ended in a flourish.

New Orleans, which led 29-9 less than nine minutes into the first quarter, trailed most of the fourth quarter and got within 121-118 on a pair of free throws by McCollum with 15.2 seconds remaining.

Jonas Valanciunas, acquired by the Kings at the trade deadline, made two free throws to help secure the win.

Pelicans: The backcourt tandem of McCollum and Jose Alvarado combined for 36 points, 12 assists and four steals, making it difficult for the Kings to double-team Williamson.

Kings: It was another shaky night as coach Doug Christie tries to integrate the newcomers into his system. On the plus side, LaVine was more aggressive and on the attack than he was in his first two games with Sacramento.

After Sabonis picked up his fourth foul with 4 1/2 minutes left in the third, the Kings closed the quarter on a 22-9 run.

The Pelicans made 14 3-pointers, matching their most over the past nine games.

Pelicans: End their four-game road trip on Monday night against Oklahoma City.

Kings: Face the Mavericks in Dallas on Monday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) drives past New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) reacts after an official's call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) dunks over Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, left, is guarded by Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)

Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray, left, is guarded by New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)

New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi, left, and Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis battle for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Quinton Byfield had a goal for the fifth consecutive game, Darcy Kuemper made 21 saves, and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Washington Capitals 3-0 on Thursday night.

Kevin Fiala had a goal and an assist, Warren Foegele scored, and the Kings won their fourth in a row following a season-high five-game losing streak.

Charlie Lindgren made 24 saves for the Capitals, who had won five straight. Alex Ovechkin did not have a shot on goal despite playing nearly 19 minutes with 8:41 of it on the power play.

Ovechkin remains nine goals from passing Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career mark of 894.

That limited imprint on offense came in large part because of a second straight excellent showing from Los Angeles’ penalty kill, which did not allow a goal in five tries after denying the New York Islanders on eight power plays on Tuesday.

The Kings broke the game open with goals from Fiala and Byfield 47 seconds apart early in the third period. Fiala scored his 25th goal for the third time in four seasons by burying a one-timer on the power play before finding Byfield off the rush.

Capitals: Pierre-Luc Dubois was booed nearly every time he touched the puck in his return to Los Angeles after one disastrous season.

Kings: The line of Foegele, Phillip Danault and Trevor Moore generated a goal for the third straight game, providing some extra offensive punch Los Angeles lacked during its skid.

Ovechkin was flanking Matt Roy on a dangerous two-on-one midway through the second period, but Mikey Anderson forced the defenseman to shoot. Roy’s effort hit the crossbar, and the Kings held onto the 1-0 lead.

Ovechkin failed to put a shot on net for just the second time in 50 games this season. The other came in the season opener against New Jersey.

The Capitals visit San Jose on Saturday, and the Kings host Nashville on Saturday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Washington Capitals left wing Anthony Beauvillier (72) and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jordan Spence (21) fight for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov (84) skates against Washington Capitals right wing Taylor Raddysh (16) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome (17) skates against Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov (84) skates against Washington Capitals right wing Taylor Raddysh (16) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates as Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) watches the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele (37) celebrates with teammates after a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) and defenseman Mikey Anderson (44) defend against Washington Capitals center Aliaksei Protas (21) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)