The Sacramento Kings had a year to remember in 2023. They rose to prominence in the league as one of the better teams in the Western Conference and finally broke a 16-year playoff drought. Their style of offense lent itself to many memorable games for Kings fans, with a strong promise of continuing into this new year. Some credit for Sacramento’s success should go to their reigning Coach of the Year, Mike Brown. Credit can also go to the front office for building a well-rounded and dynamic roster over the last two seasons. However, perhaps the biggest credit for the Kings’ success in 2023 goes to their All-Star NBA duo of De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
The pairing of Fox and Sabonis forming one of the best duos in the league has been a revelation for the Kings. Both players have elevated one another to elite levels since joining forces. The two have played so well that in HoopHype’s Best Players of 2023 ratings, Fox and Sabonis ranked in the top 15. Sabonis ranked eighth on the list, while Fox came in at 14th. The duo played exceptionally well in 2023 and were one of the best pairings in the league this past year.
The Kings’ All-Star Duo Was Among the Best in the NBA in 2023
Statistical Dominance and Achievements
The duo of Fox and Sabonis put up some remarkable stats in 2023. Through 77 regular season games, Sabonis averaged 19.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game. Although he had a relatively disappointing performance in the 2023 playoffs, his regular season performance has been stellar. As for Fox, through 67 games in 2023, he averaged 28.1 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.2 rebounds. His notable leap in the 2023-24 season has even catapulted him into the MVP discussion.
The duo’s impressive numbers and performances led them to All-Star appearances and All-NBA nods in 2023. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were the only other duo in the league that made an All-NBA team. Sabonis also led the league in rebounding in 2023 with 12.3 rebounds per game. He is in first place in rebounding this season with 12.5 per game. As for Fox, his consistency in the clutch led him to win the Clutch Player of the Year Award in 2023. This season, Fox is fifth in the league in scoring with 30 points per game and will most likely be in the running for Clutch Player of the Year once more.
The duo put together an amazing 2023 campaign and seem to be on a similar path heading into 2024. The two putting together these high-caliber seasons will allow Sacramento to build a contending team for some time.
Complimenting Play Styles
One of the most positive attributes of the Fox and Sabonis tandem is their ability to play off each other exceptionally well. Their two-man game, utilizing pick-and-roll actions and dribble handoffs, has been one of the best in the league over the last two seasons. Sabonis’ ability to play at the elbow, pass, and score on all three levels makes him very dynamic, especially at his size and position. As for Fox, his lighting quickness and superb ability to score near the rim or from the perimeter make him a nightmare for defenses to guard. Pair the two together, and you get a combination of high-low actions, where neither player can be left alone from the perimeter due to their improved shooting ability. Both are also capable passers who can find an open man if they receive extra defensive attention.
Just from the 2023 portion of this season alone, their impact together on the court for Sacramento has been heavily felt. With Fox and Sabonis, the Kings have a 118.1 offensive rating as opposed to a 110.2 rating without them. Some of the Kings’ largest margins of victory this season have come when they led the team. Both do a terrific job of getting their teammates involved in the action, but they also can single-handedly win a game for Sacramento if needed. The two just mesh well together and enhance each other’s level of play. For this reason, their collaborative success could make the Kings’ duo a great one for many years to come.
The Last Word on the Kings’ All-Star Duo
After nearly two decades of trying to find continued success, the Kings might have just found it centered around this outstanding duo. It’s hard enough for teams to land on one All-NBA talent, but to land on two is certainly a positive rarity. With Fox and Sabonis in Sacramento, the Kings have the potential to be a real contender for some time. Last year, the two broke onto the scene, but this year, they have one-upped themselves and proved last year was no fluke.
The Kings’ success in 2024 will largely depend on how the team performs around these two. Fox and Sabonis are very consistent with their performance night after night. However, it will take a team effort to take down some of the league’s juggernauts, particularly in the postseason. Sacramento has shown its upside numerous times and is not far from some prolonged playoff success. The Kings’ dynamic duo may have had an incredible 2023, but their ambitious goals will extend to the whole team as they aim for an NBA championship in 2024.
