The Sacramento Kings have done a great job of cementing themselves as a perennial playoff team in the NBA over the last two seasons. After suffering through the longest playoff drought in the history of the league, they have gotten things back on track.
A big reason for their turnaround has been the presence of Domantas Sabonis. Sabonis was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Indiana Pacers two years ago that did cost the Kings All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton is blossoming into a star, but Sacramento has to be happy about how things have turned out as well.
The Kings are rolling right along at 30-23 thus far this season, following up their 48-34 record last season. Sabonis was a driving force behind that success and is putting up some incredible numbers.
In a 130-125 loss to the Phoenix Suns last night, Sabonis did everything he could to help his team get a victory. He scored 35 points with 18 rebounds, 12 assists, one steal and three blocks in 39 minutes.
It was his 18th triple-double of the season, which leads the NBA. According to StatMuse on X, formerly Twitter, the production he provided against the Suns is something we haven’t seen done since Larry Bird.
Recording a stat line that hasn’t been accomplished by anyone since Larry Bird goes to show just how well Sabonis played even in a losing effort. It also extended his streak of double-doubles to an impressive 36 straight games.
November 29th was the last time Sabonis didn’t record a double-double, as he has recorded 49 in the 53 games he has played this season. The record for most double-doubles in a season is held by Hakeem Olajuwon, who had 72 in the 1992-93 season.
Sabonis certainly has a shot to take that record down as long as he can remain healthy. He has not missed a game thus far in the 2023-24 campaign and is on track to surpass Olajuwon based on his production to this point.
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