The Los Angeles Lakers got their payback against the Sacramento Kings with a 117-92 win on the road.
Los Angeles, playing without LeBron James who is now in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, started sluggishly on both ends of the court. Anthony Davis bailed out the offense with several and-1 plays.
However, Malik Monk’s buzzer-beating swish at halftime seemed to spark a second-half scoring eruption.
The Lakers went on a 40-8 run in the second half — which included outscoring the Kings 37-15 in the third quarter — en route to a blowout final score.
Davis led the way with 25 points while Russell Westbrook stepped up in the second half to tally 23 points.
Malik Monk and Dwight Howard had incredible games off the bench. Monk got back to his scorching form to drill 22 points on 6-of-10 3-point shooting, while Howard played a season-high 35 minutes and dropped 12 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
Head coach Frank Vogel removed DeAndre Jordan after just four minutes into the game for Howard, and the Lakers didn’t look back.
The Lakers are now 12-11 on the season, but this momentum will have to hold while James’ status is ambiguous moving forward.
The Lakers next play the L.A. Clippers on Friday, Dec. 3.
