OKLAHOMA CITY _ Here are three takeaways from the Kings' 131-120 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena:
Solid start for Shumpert
Iman Shumpert made his first start in a Kings uniform. At 6-foot-5, he was likely started to defend the Thunder's Paul George, who stands four inches taller, but instead showed out on offense early. He made his first three 3-point shots and in nine first-quarter minutes led all scorers with 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting. He finished with a team-high 26 points. The last time Shumpert scored at least 20 came exactly a year ago, when he had 21 points as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers in a loss at the Orlando Magic.
Efficient offense
The Kings continue to shoot well, hitting more than half their shots for the third game in a row. In shooting 54.9 percent for the game, Sacramento increased its scoring average to 125.7 points per game as it plays the up-tempo style coach Dave Joerger has pushed for this season.
Non-stars need not apply
Russell Westbrook missed Oklahoma City's first two games but led all scorers with 32 points in his first action of the season. Paul George (29 points, six rebounds) and Steven Adams (10 points, 14 rebounds) were effective as well, but the Kings didn't allow guys without household names to torch them the way Utah's Joe Ingles and New Orleans' Nikola Mirotic did in the first two games, respectively.
